ABSTRACT
There are several elements to consider when it comes to running a shared reading activity
well. It is important to plan ahead so that you are not caught on the run trying to organise
volunteers, find name badges, set up a room, greet participants and photocopy your reading
material – all at the same time! It is also important to consider how your shared reading
activity will fit within the wider parameters of your workplace routines and budgets (if you
are running a group session) or within the regular routine of the household (if you are in a
home setting). At the end of the book you will find some templates which have been
designed to help you with planning a group session in a care facility for older people or
other community location. It is also vital that you select your reading materials carefully, so
that you offer your session the best chance of success. Think about your participants and
the sorts of material you think will be suitable for them. Of course, you should always be
ready for surprises. Sometimes a piece you thought would be a failure turns out to be a
roaring success. Sometimes, alas, the opposite is also true!
