A 'Reading Force' to be reckoned with

Monday, 18 June 2012

A innovative reading scheme to help bridge the gap between Aldershot's Armed Forces families who may be living apart, has been awarded funding from Hampshire County Council.

At his Policy and Resources Decision Day (13 June 2012), Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, awarded a grant of £10,000 for the next three years to the Reading Force scheme, set up by Kingston University.

The project aims to promote better communication and relationships between service families who may be separated from one another and their local community. Families and friends are encouraged to create a reading group, to include members in different places or overseas, who decide on a book they would all like to read. Then the group shares with one another how they felt about the book and contribute to a family scrapbook which can include pictures, emails, notes and drawings.

Councillor Thornber, said:

"Reading Force was piloted in Aldershot last year and has proved to be a great success. It provides a great opportunity for families abroad to keep in touch with loved ones back home, and also inspires more young people to get involved with reading."

• Reading Force 2012

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