Ann Cleeves of ‘Vera’ and ‘Shetland’ fame has started a project to explore how stories and poems can offer comfort, escape, inspiration and laughter in difficult times. She’s working with Libraries and Public Health to enable carers to have easy access to free books (audio, printed and downloadable e-books). Mary Lowe, the new Community Reading worker for North Tyneside can support you with reading and choosing books.
For those who don’t yet feel confident about meeting up with people post-Covid, Mary can offer a regular book chat phone call, enrol you onto Libraries at Home and help with downloading the free Borrowbox App giving access to thousands of audio and e- books.
And for those keen to venture out, she can arrange visits, set up reading or book groups to meet in local venues, and help families to support their children with reading from baby/toddler age onwards.
Ann Cleeves writes ‘I’ve seen how understanding and confidence grows when individuals are encouraged to explore their experience through story. It gives a fresh perspective. A distance. Anger and resentment can dissipate. And because we’re sharing a bit of ourselves when we’re talking about books, friendships develop.’
Non-readers welcome as there are thousands of free audio books to download!
