Introduction

This chapter shares observations made during six years facilitating two Read Aloud bibliotherapy groups in public libraries in the London borough of Westminster. One is an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) group, while the other has a majority of highly educated native English speakers. Comparing the experiences of these two groups is potentially valuable as, to date, there has been very little research, and relatively few practical examples, of bibliotherapy specifically with migrant communities (Te Pou o Te Whakaaro Nui, 2010).

In March 2010, Westminster Libraries gained funding from the then Westminster Primary Care Trust to deliver an initiative to address health inequalities in the borough and it was decided that Shared Reading would be part of this project. A health information co-ordinator (HIC) was recruited and trained as a shared reading facilitator, alongside an experienced public librarian. Three Shared Reading, or Read Aloud, groups were subsequently started in library settings, including the group at Paddington Library discussed below. In September 2011, I was appointed as the new HIC and took over two of the existing groups, while the librarian continued to facilitate the third group. Within a few months, a fourth group was started by the HIC. Initially, this was advertised as a Read Aloud group for those with English as an additional language. This group meets at Church Street Library. The Church Street area of Westminster has a wide cultural mix, with a large community of non-English speakers and high levels of health inequalities.

This chapter discusses the Paddington and Church Street Read Aloud groups, exploring differences between the two. This includes a discussion of who joins the groups and their motivations for doing so, the types of texts read and the ways in which the groups are facilitated. The chapter starts, however, with an overview of the key features of Shared Reading.

The format of the groups

The Reader launched its ‘Get into Reading’ initiative in 2008. The Shared Reading approach designed by The Reader is described as, ‘a simple idea that changes lives’. By bringing people together to read great literature aloud we are improving wellbeing, reducing social isolation and building stronger communities across the UK and beyond’ (www.thereader.org.uk). Typically, a Shared Reading group meets once a week at the same time on the same day and usually in the same place.