Bell House runs a monthly Shared Reading group which is open to all and free to attend.
But what happens at a meeting? A group of people, one of them a trained Reader Leader, reads a great novel, short story or poem aloud. The group then talk about what has been read. There is no need for group members to read aloud or speak – it’s fine to just listen. The idea is to create a space where people feel at ease.
As members of a choir get enjoyment from singing together, so reading the literature aloud in real-time, means that everyone is involved in a shared, live experience. Group members are encouraged by the Reader Leader to respond personally, sharing feelings, thoughts and memories provoked by the reading BUT only if they want to. The sharing of the reading experience allows more connections to be made. The group share and develop the meaning together and develop their thinking as a result of listening to others during the reading experience.
Shared Reading is not a therapy but most find they get benefit beyond reading. People are bringing their life experiences and the literature into the focus of a prism. They’re looking through it and just see themselves at first and then they realise that there’s loads of other people and they’ve got all different reasons for going and enjoying it.
The meetings are held online and the next one is on Tuesday 25 October -18.00 - 19.00. Visit: http://www.bellhouse.co.uk/upcoming-events