Reading groups: establishing partnerships as part of a community outreach strategy at the University of Northampton

Abstract

The reading groups project at Northampton has been a great success currently running two groups in the local community and one for University staff the project has been nominated for volunteering awards and over the past three years has had an impact upon many of the local communities vulnerable or disadvantaged people. The workshop will be run by Jenny Townend (Learning Support Specialist) and Fiona MacLellan (Academic Librarian) who have used their enthusiasm for reading to inspire others to take up or rediscover the reading habit. The project has come along way from an initial ‘off the cuff’ comment in a departmental meeting, and has expanded over the past three years to include three separate groups and a core team of six group facilitators. The workshop will cover the initial set up of the project, its development over the past three years and the impact of the groups on the people involved, there will also be time for brainstorming ideas for engaging in community outreach in your local community and time for question