Connecting through reading
Reading Friends is an intergenerational programme that connects older people experiencing loneliness with volunteers by starting conversations through a shared interest in reading.
Using reading and books to spark conversations, Reading Friends brings people together to talk about much loved books and discover new ones, share stories, meet new friends and have fun.
Katy Szita
Head of Programme DevelopmentIt is very exciting to be working in partnership with the Reading Agency, a charity committed to the importance of the written word.
By adopting this fresh approach, we can develop new groups for older people and volunteers that are close to our core model of tea parties, but are a different form of social gathering focused on the written word – be that newspapers, poems, magazines, novels or anything else.
In 2020, we will be launching Reading Friends groups in South West England and Scotland.
South West England
- Bristol
- Bridgwater
- Plymouth
- Sandford
- Gloucestershire
- Bath
- Cirencester
Scotland
- Glasgow & East Dunbartonshire
- Moray & North Aberdeenshire
- Stirling
- Falkirk & Clackmannanshire
Join Reading Friends
Become a Reading Friends volunteer
Share your passion of reading and socialise with isolated older people. Reading Friends brings people together to read, share stories, interests and life experiences, meet new friends and have fun.

Join a Reading Friends group
If you'd like to connect with other people over conversations inspired by reading, then why not join a Reading Friends group in your area?
Contact us
We have teams across the UK and our national office is in London.
Address
Re-engage
2 Grosvenor Gardens
London
SW1W 0DH