Shared Reading Volunteers

Newcastle Hospitals Charity are working with New Writing North to recruit a brand-new cohort of shared reading volunteers.

Shared reading is an interactive experience whereby the act of reading a text aloud is shared by a pair, or group of people. Often used in educational settings, the principles of shared reading can also be used to encourage conversation and promote relationships. Books and reading allow us to connect to the world around us, and we want to use interactive reading as a way to foster this connection and enhance the patient experience in hospital and improve staff wellbeing.

How will it work?

Selected participants will receive training. The training will focus on the principles of shared reading and preparing you to volunteer within the sites of Newcastle Hospitals Trust. Once training is complete, you will be supported to begin volunteering on selected wards, using a selection of texts to facilitate reading and talking with patients and staff.

Training will take place in July, with the group being split into two cohorts:

9 July – full day training, cohort 1
18 July and 25 July – afternoon training, across two days, cohort 2

As a shared reading volunteer, you are free to take on as much or as little as you wish. There will be the opportunity to volunteer for one afternoon shift a week for 6 months, as well as other options for those who cannot commit as much time.

We welcome volunteers from all walks of life, whether you’re a student looking to get some extra experience, or you’re retired and looking to give back to your local community. No experience is necessary, but the kind of person suitable for this opportunity will be: