71% of Reading Friends participants found increased confidence to try new things thanks to the programme
Reading Friends
What is Reading Friends?
Reading Friends is The Reading Agency’s reading connection programme. It connects people by starting conversations through reading, giving opportunities to meet others, share stories, make new friends and have fun.
Your generosity can us help bring more people together. Find out how your money can help support Reading Friends.
Our Research
Reading Friends has made a difference to people’s lives – supporting wellbeing, creating meaningful connections, reducing loneliness and engaging more people in reading together for pleasure. Reading Friends had a powerful impact on communities – building social support networks, creating long-lasting connections and friendships.
68% of Reading Friends participants felt less lonely thanks to the programme
Resources
Reading Friends Impact Overview 2023-24
Impact overview from 2023-24 showing how Reading Friends continues to make a difference to people's lives.
Reading Friends Participation Monitoring Form
The new form for October 2024-October 2025. We encourage monthly submission of the simplified form, but there are two important dates highlighted (Jan 2025 and…
You must be logged in to access this resource
Reading Friends Quick Reads tie in resources 2024
An extract and discussion questions from the 2024 Quick Reads including information about the author: Boys Don't Cry Game On The Jealousy Man The Last…
You must be logged in to access this resource
Reading Friends Evaluation Champions toolkit
There will be people who cannot fill in evaluation surveys or for whom this it isn’t appropriate. These Evaluation Champions tools capture ‘in the moment’…
You must be logged in to access this resource
Latest News
The Reading Agency Receives Funding to Support People with Vision Impairments
The Reading Agency is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant from the Ulverscroft Foundation to further develop…
Reading Friends uncovers the power of inclusive reading at Portsmouth Libraries
Portsmouth Libraries have been hosting Reading Friends sessions in their branches since 2021. In the last year, they helped 1,492…
Reading Friends: creating connections in 2022/23
From 2022 to 2023, Reading Friends worked with 39 UK authorities and their delivery partners to make a positive difference to individual lives and whole communities – creating meaningful connections, reducing loneliness and improving wellbeing.
Join our mailing list
Get our newsletters to stay up to date with programme news, resources, news and more.
