There is something special about picking up a book and getting lost in a story. Whether it’s a few quiet pages at the end of a busy day, reading together with a child, or sharing thoughts about a book with others, reading has the power to connect us, open up conversations and help us see the world from a different perspective.
This National Read a Book Day (6th September), we are celebrating the many ways that reading can make a difference particularly for families affected by the criminal justice system.
As part of the National Year of Reading, LAT is taking every opportunity to encourage families to pick up a book and enjoy reading, both independently and together.
According to the University of Sussex, reading for only six minutes can reduce stress levels by more than two thirds. Reading can help us improve our mood, take our mind off things and even talk through issues that are bothering us.
Making reading part of life in custody
Over the past year, LAT has worked with Prison Reading Groups to provide more than 1,000 books to individuals and children across Lincolnshire and Humberside.
The books are used in a variety of ways. Some are given to people on their first night in custody, offering an opportunity to escape into a story at what can be an incredibly difficult and unsettling time. Others are made available for those in prison and their children to enjoy together during visits.
Reading together can be particularly powerful for families. A book can give a parent and child something to talk about, something to look forward to and a shared experience that continues beyond the prison visit. For families who cannot always spend time together in person, books can also become part of virtual visits, helping parents and children to connect through stories even when they are physically apart.
Our aim is not simply to put more books into people’s hands. It is to encourage a love of reading, build confidence and create opportunities for children and adults to discover the enjoyment that comes from reading independently and from sharing a story with someone else.
A book can take you somewhere else
Read a Book Day is a chance to celebrate something wonderfully simple: the joy of getting lost in a good book.
A story can transport us somewhere completely different, introduce us to new characters and ideas, make us laugh, surprise us or simply give us a few quiet moments to ourselves.
That is why initiatives such as our partnership with Prison Reading Groups are so important. Every book we give out is an opportunity to discover a new story, find a moment of escape and experience the simple pleasure of reading.
Pick up a book, read a chapter and start a conversation. You never know where the story might take you.
Contact our team
LAT provides a range of confidential support for clients who need it.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, we’re here to help.
Please get in touch at hello@LATcharity.org.uk or call us on 01522 806611.
