Reading for Wellbeing is currently operating in 10 Local Authority areas of the North East:
- County Durham
- Gateshead
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle
- North Tyneside
- Northumberland
- Redcar & Cleveland
- South Tyneside
- Sunderland
People who may benefit from Reading for Wellbeing include those experiencing anxiety, stress, chronic pain, depression, or other conditions, family carers and those who may be socially isolated.
Professionals can refer people or individuals can self refer independently if they feel they may benefit.
Priority communities and individuals are determined locally by partners – see below for our current local area contacts and email direct for further information.
Directory of Community Reading Workers
Contact our Community Reading Workers directly to make a referral or self refer.
Durham County Council
Charlotte Battison & Elizabeth King
Gateshead Council
Karen Leggott
Libraries and Heritage Engagement Officer
- karenleggott@gateshead.gov.uk
- Gateshead
Hartlepool Council
Lesley Shilson & Diane Youll
Newcastle Council
Charlotte Isherwood, Helen Parker & Chris Wilcock
North Tyneside Council
Mary Lowe
Community Reading Worker
- mary.lowe@northtyneside.gov.uk
- North Tyneside
Northumberland County Council
Jane Sampson & Sarah Carlson
Reading Facilitators
- jane.sampson@northumberland.gov.uk
- sarah.carlson01@northumberland.gov.uk
- Primarily Newbiggin by the Sea and surrounding areas
South Tyneside Council
Clare Craig & Victoria Little
South Tees Public Health
Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland council areas
Linda Murphy
Community Reading Coach
- linda_murphy@middlesbrough.gov.uk
- Thorntree & Loftus
Can’t find your area?
If your area does not feature, search for your local library service and contact them to access free books and find out what services and groups they provide.
You can also try The Reader who support a number of Shared Reading Groups throughout the UK and online. Shared Reading groups bring people together in small groups to read aloud a book, short story or poem.