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The Reader Organisation

The Reader Organisation is a charity dedicated to bringing about a Reading Revolution, with a mission to engage people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities in sharing a wealth of literature. The Reader Organisation (TRO) was founded as a literary magazine, The Reader, in 1997 by Dr. Jane Davis and Dr. Sarah Coley, which under the shelter of the University of Liverpool, developed innovative projects and events to get books off the shelves and into the hands of more people. Get Into Reading, a leading social outreach project, began in 2001 and is now our biggest area of work. The project currently delivers over seventy weekly reading groups across Merseyside and Wirral, giving people who might not normally think of joining a reading group the chance to enjoy stories and poems together. The aim of TRO is to improve well-being, extend appreciation of literature and build community, targeting people that are socially isolated. In March 2008 The Reader Organisation came of age as a free standing organisation in its own right and although no longer part of the University of Liverpool’s constitution, they continue to be supported the University. TRO is governed by a Board of Trustees, the chair of which is writer Blake Morrison. The Reader Organisation runs four distinct but connected programmes:

1. Reaching Out: ‘Get Into Reading’, ‘Liverpool Reads’, Reader-in-Residence projects, Community Shakespeare and Read to Lead. . GIR: Get Into Reading is a social inclusion project which aims to improve mental health, build community and extend reading pleasure through the sharing of good books. 2. The Reader: Magazine and blog. 3. Reader Events: The Annual ‘Penny Readings’, ‘Food for Thought’ lunchtime events, ‘Readers’ Days’ throughout the year, poetry and author readings, various discussion groups as part of local literary festivals. For 2008, to celebrate Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture, The Reader Organisation delivered Shipping Lines: Liverpool Literary Festival for the School of English at The University of Liverpool. 4. Research and Development: in reading and health. Outreach work across Merseyside, Liverpool University student participation, delivering an MA in Reading in Practice with the School of English at The University of Liverpool.

More About ‘Read to Lead’. The Reader Organisation delivers specialist Read to Lead training throughout the country for those with a desire to spread pleasure and power of reading. Courses are open to people from all professional and social backgrounds: a love of books, a belief in the social value of reading, and a passion to share this vision are our main criteria. •	Read to Lead: Introduction to the Principles and Practices of GIR This workshop offers the opportunity to take part in an intensive reading experience as part of a Get into Reading group, observe the principles of our work in action and learn specialised reading and group facilitation techniques. You will meet people from your part of the country who are interested in GIR as well as being able to discuss strategies for developing GIR in your area. Cost: £150 •	Read to Lead: Five-day Accredited Facilitator Training This residential course in intended for people who want to become accredited Get into Reading facilitators. Over a fun but intensive five days this course will give you the insider view on what makes GIR work. GIR facilitators, staff and reading group members will put you through a vigorous reading workout, help you identify areas of practise to work on, and give you the opportunity to lead a reading group in a companionable and supportive environment giving you the experience necessary to run a GIR project. Cost: £1000 •	Read to Lead: MasterclassThis half-day reading workout is an opportunity to keep facilitators up-to-date with the latest Get Into Reading practice, to polish reading and facilitation techniques, and to share good ideas face to face. Each Masterclass will deal in detail with a certain issue, group situation or even author, that arises from the needs and experience of GIR facilitators. Cost: £70

Awards •	The Reader Organisation (TRO) won the 2008 Quentin Blake Award to run 'Play's the Thing' project; •	Get Into Reading' project nominated for an NHS Centre for Involvement award •	The Reader Organisation was a finalist for the Art '08 'Inside, Outside and Online Award'.