Bestselling author Ann Cleeves has headed the ‘North East Reading for Wellbeing’ project, helping improve people’s lives through reading. Organisations, staff members and participants came together to celebrate the success of the project and look to the future.
“Stories can be healing. If we’re drowning in chaotic thoughts of our own, to step inside someone else’s head, just for a while, is a kind of freedom.” – Ann Cleeves
On 7th February, VONNE and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities North East (OHID North East) held a celebratory event to mark the success of the Reading for Wellbeing pilot project, having been successfully trialled across the region in six local authorities. The project, launched in 2021 and backed by international bestselling author and North East resident Ann Cleeves OBE, provides Community Reading Workers across the areas in a range of settings, supporting access to books, reading and stories to help improve health and wellbeing in specific communities across the North East.
The event, held at The Word, the North East based National Centre for the Written Word in South Shields, showcased the work of the project and shared testimonials from just some of the 1,500 adults and children who’ve benefited from the project to date, as well as its Community Reading Workers.
Following the event, Newcastle City Council has come on board, and three other areas have expressed interest in establishing Community Reading Workers in their area. Lorna Smith, Interim Deputy Director of Public Health said: “We are delighted to confirm that Newcastle City Council will be establishing a Reading for Wellbeing project in Newcastle in 2023”. The project has also just received interest from Arts Council England and the National Academy of Social Prescribing to support raising awareness of the model beyond the North East.
The project has established effective partnerships with public health, libraries, community development and social prescribing, using a range of different delivery approaches targeting some of the most disadvantaged areas and communities. This video, screened at the event, provides a rich insight into the impact the project is having - featuring the project team, Community Reading Workers and participants. And hear Reading for Wellbeing participant Ian’s story, sharing his experience of the project in this video from the event.
Reading for Wellbeing was initiated, and part funded by author Ann Cleeves to mark the 21st anniversary of her North East detective character Vera Stanhope, in recognition of the solace Ann’s found in stories throughout her life, and in wanting to give something back to the region given the success of her North East detective character Vera Stanhope.
Ann Cleeves said: "I can't believe how this project has developed since we first discussed it. It works because everyone involved - those working in public health, libraries, and the voluntary sector - have been flexible, passionate and committed. It helps that organisations in the North East are brilliant at partnership working. I'm so proud to be a part of it."
The project’s nine Community Reading Workers work within very local community settings in County Durham, Gateshead, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Middlesbrough, and Redcar & Cleveland local authority areas. The six local authority areas involved have contributed their own funds and each area has defined their own way of delivering the project, based on their own local needs. They support individuals to discover the benefits to wellbeing of reading for pleasure, including audio books, and have brought people together to share their experiences and discuss books in a variety of local groups.
They work in tandem with Social prescribing link workers based in GP practices, as well as other health and social care professionals and voluntary and community sector groups, who refer and signpost people whose wellbeing may benefit from reading, access to stories and social support. This might include those experiencing anxiety, stress, chronic pain, depression, or other conditions, as well as those who may be socially isolated, which has been exacerbated by the ramifications of COVID. The workers reach a wide range of age groups including children and their families.
A regional steering group oversees the project, co-ordinated by VONNE and OHID North East. Jane Hartley, Health Partnerships & Social Prescribing Strategic Manager at VONNE, said:
“We are thrilled to be involved in supporting this project regionally and ensuring links with local social prescribing networks and voluntary and community sector partners. It is great that Ann has led the way in funding this grass roots community based approach to helping people experience the positive influence of books and reading on their wellbeing.”
Dr. Guy Pilkington Chair of the North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) Healthy Communities & Social Prescribing Workstream Steering Group said:
"It has been a great pleasure and a privilege to be involved in the Reading for Wellbeing project. So many people who are passionate about books have reached out and connected to others in profoundly affecting ways. It is inspiring to hear how people have benefitted from this work and how their health and happiness has improved. We have so much to learn from their experiences. Thank you all."
Dr Claire Sullivan/ Deputy Director for Health, Wellbeing and Workforce (North East) Office for Health Improvement & Disparities said:
"It was fantastic to celebrate the amazing work of the Reading for Wellbeing project across the North East. Connecting communities through the pleasure of reading to reduce isolation is such a simple concept but has had significant impact for individuals. I am delighted that it is going to expand to other areas and feel privileged to have been part of its inception."
Reading for Wellbeing is being independently evaluated by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (ARC) – so that the impact of the project on the health and wellbeing of those involved, can be measured. The final report is due later in the year.
For further information please contact Jane Hartley or Becky James