It’s a simple but innovative idea: the Bath-based charity Read Around Bath, founded in 2007, enables socially-disadvantaged people to come together in groups through the love of reading. We read aloud to those in Julian House homeless shelter; vulnerable adults at Genesis Trust; the elderly in several care homes and Guinness Trust accommodation; and at a GP referral group in Keynsham. We have also run a Breaks for Carers group; recorded a series of short stories read aloud on RUH hospital radio; worked with students from Bath Spa University, and have been involved in various Bath LitFest events as well as running our own fund-raising arts events.

We believe that group reading can have many benefits.

• Developing empathy with others
• Connecting to broader outlooks in life
• Encouraging interpersonal communication
• Engaging with ideas, concepts and attitudes
• Building a sense of community
• Increasing personal well being

Books can be life-long companions and reading can change lives.

10th Anniversary

We at Read Around Bath are very proud to be celebrating our tenth anniversary this year. Beginning with pilot projects ten years ago, we now run a healthy array of reading groups for socially disadvantaged people in the Banes area. This on-going growth is thanks to the committed team of volunteers who so ably contribute in various key roles and to the continued funding we receive from various sources. Books and reading do change lives and we very much hope to continue to provide this service for years to come.