Read our evaluation report

Read our evaluation report

We're Shared Story, a York-Based Community Interest Company.

We aim to reduce social isolation and improve mental wellbeing through shared reading, storytelling and other creative practices .

Get our updates👇

We're Shared Story, a York-Based Community Interest Company.

We aim to reduce social isolation and improve mental wellbeing through shared reading, storytelling and other creative practices .

Get our updates👇

Introducing 'Not a Book Club'

Introducing 'Not a Book Club'

‘Not a Book Club’ is a 12-week group session where over tea and coffee, participants can listen to a facilitator read short stories, book extracts, and poems. Whilst there time is for discussion, it’s also fine to just sit and listen. Taking place throughout the year, please register if you would like to come to the next group.

‘Not a Book Club’ is a 12-week group session where over tea and coffee, participants can listen to a facilitator read short stories, book extracts, and poems. Whilst there time is for discussion, it’s also fine to just sit and listen. Taking place throughout the year, please register if you would like to come to the next group.

Register for a Not a Book Club

Register for a Not a Book Club

Who we are.

Who we are.

Who we are.

Shared Story is a York-Based Community Interest Company. We run creative projects that foster connection and belonging.

We have a particular interest in shared reading. The idea for Shared Story was born from working in health and social care and hearing first hand how due to factors such as difficulties with concentration and focus, people with long term conditions found themselves unable to read - a once enjoyable part of life and coping mechanism.

We believe that everyone has the right to experience reading for pleasure and that books have the power to connect us as humans. Humans have gathered to tell stories around the fire since time began, it’s one of humanity’s oldest traditions and how we have understood who we are We want our projects to be an accessible, inclusive experience for all.

We want to meet different people from different walks of life, all with their own stories to tell.

Shared Story is a York-Based Community Interest Company. We run creative projects that foster connection and belonging.

We have a particular interest in shared reading. The idea for Shared Story was born from working in health and social care and hearing first hand how due to factors such as difficulties with concentration and focus, people with

long term conditions found themselves unable to read - a once enjoyable part of life and coping mechanism.

We believe that everyone has the right to experience reading for pleasure and that books have the power to connect us as humans. Humans have gathered to tell stories around the fire since time began, it’s one of

humanity’s oldest traditions and how we have understood who we are. We want our projects to be an accessible, inclusive experience for all.

We want to meet different people from different walks of life, all with their own stories to tell.

Shared Story is a York- Based Community Interest Company. We run creative projects that foster connection and belonging.

We have a particular interest in shared reading. The idea for Shared Story was born from working in health and social care and hearing first hand how due to factors such as difficulties with concentration and focus, people with long term conditions found themselves unable to read - a once enjoyable part of life and coping mechanism.

We believe that everyone has the right to experience reading for pleasure and that books have the power to connect us as humans. Humans have gathered to tell stories around the fire since time began, it’s one of humanity’s oldest traditions and how we have understood who we are

We want our projects to be an accessible, inclusive experience for all.

We want to meet different people from different walks of life, all with their own stories to tell.

Get to know us (we're super friendly!)

Get to know us
(we're super friendly!)

Get to know us
 (we're super friendly!)

Jasmine

I have worked in mental health for over 12 years, both in primary and secondary care and also the voluntary sector. I have an English degree and my professional background is as an Occupational Therapist.

I am passionate about social justice, the role of
community in improving health

and wellbeing and that being able to do activities that hold meaning to us are key to being able to flourish. I want to do joyful stuff that removes barriers to this!

I love books - they make me laugh, cry, think, shout and feel deeply human

I have worked in mental health for over 12 years, both in primary and secondary care and also the voluntary sector. I have an English degree and my professional background is as an Occupational Therapist.

I am passionate about social justice, the role of community in improving health and wellbeing and that being able to do activities that hold meaning to us are key to being able to flourish. I want to do joyful stuff that removes barriers to this!

I love books - they make me laugh, cry, think, shout and feel deeply human

Helen

Helen

Stories have been part of my life and career for as long as I can remember. Every job I’ve had has been about hearing, telling, and sharing people’s stories. Whether this has been empowering people living with dementia to have a voice and make change or supporting unpaid carers to live well.

I’ve worked in and alongside the voluntary sector for nearly a decade and am currently an Evaluation Consultant. This, at its heart, is about telling stories of change.

My passion for understanding health and wellbeing, particularly in relation to ageing well and long-term conditions, is underpinned by an MSc in Health Psychology. My love for books lies in their ability to allow me to teleport and time travel.

Jasmine

Jasmine and Helen both live with long term conditions and understand first-hand the isolation that disability can cause

Jasmine and Helen both live with long term conditions and understand first-hand the isolation that disability can cause

What has been interesting us 

What has been interesting us 

The benefits of shared reading

From Helen

Research from the Reader organisation on how reading together can improve wellbeing and reduce isolation 


Read the article

The benefits of shared reading

From Helen

Research from the Reader organisation on how reading together can improve wellbeing and reduce isolation 


Read the article

What is a Zine?

From Helen

Zines - historically, zines presented groups that have been dismissed with an opportunity to voice their opinion, both with other members of their own communities or with a larger audience. Cheap to make, they can be silly or serious.


Watch the video

Hans Christian Anderson's Great Life

From Jasmine

At the heart of fairy tales is what it means to be human. From an extremely poor background  and fighting for the underclass through his stories, author of fairy tales Hans Christan Anderson  was also ‘a terrible narcissist’ and full of contradictions.


Listen to the podcast

Sue Townsend on Adrian Mole

From Helen

Adrian Mole 13 ¾ is said to have spoken for a generation and is on Reading Wells list of ‘mood boosting books’. Here, author Sue Townsend talks about Adrian and the different reactions to him 


Listen to the podcast

"One of the most precious things we can have in this life, is to know that we are not alone in our experiences. We read to know we’re not alone, to know that the experiences we have been through, other people have been through too."

Malorie Blackman

"One of the most precious things we can have in this life, is to know that we are not alone in our experiences. We read to know we’re not alone, to know that the experiences we have been through, other people have been through too."

Malorie Blackman

Say Hi!

Say Hi!

If you've got any questions or want to chat about our projects, please give us a ring, or send a text or email

Email: hello@sharedstory.org.uk
Phone: 07895702241

If you've got any questions or want to chat about our projects, please give us a ring, send us a text or email or follow us on social media.

Email: hello@sharedstory.org.uk
Phone: 07895702241

If you've got any questions or want to chat about our projects, please give us a ring, send us a text or email or follow us on social media.

Email: hello@sharedstory.org.uk
Phone: 07895702241

Shared Story is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC)
Company Number 15038253

Shared Story is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC)
Company Number 15038253

Shared Story is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC)
Company Number 15038253

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Evaluation Report