How sharing a story is helping people find community, comfort and confidence

Humans have gathered to tell stories around the fire since time began. Storytelling is one of our oldest traditions and a way we have always made sense of who we are. York community group, Shared Story CIC, believes that everyone should have the chance to enjoy reading for pleasure and that stories have the power to bring people together. 

The group brings socially isolated people together through shared reading and storytelling. Their activities, based in the local library, offer connection, community and confidence building through listening to stories, talking about them and creating new ones in both familiar and unexpected ways. They welcome anyone who is curious about stories, especially people who may feel lonely or who are living with grief, trauma or health challenges. 

With support from the York Community Fund, Shared Story delivered a 12-week programme called ‘Not a Book Club’ in 2024. They also created an alumni group so that people who had taken part could continue to meet once the main sessions had finished. This ongoing support helps people build lasting friendships and a sense of belonging. 

 

 

 

 

A place where everyone can take part

At ‘Not a Book Club’, a trained facilitator reads short stories, poems and extracts from books out loud. The people attending are invited to share any thoughts, memories or feelings that come to mind. Some prefer to listen quietly. There is no pressure to read aloud and no expectation to speak. It is a calm and friendly space where people can take part in whatever way feels right for them. 

Shared Story is guided by three simple beliefs. They love stories and believe they can lift people up. They work hard to make their groups open to everyone. They believe that stories belong to all of us and that there is no right or wrong way to enjoy them. 

The group reads a wide mix of writing. This includes autobiographies from the golden age of Hollywood, diaries, folk and fairy tales, nature writing and novels. People are also invited to bring their own poems or stories to share. This variety helps spark curiosity and gives people something fresh to think about each week. 

 

 

 

 

Why this work matters

Loneliness affects many people in the UK, and has a deep impact on mental and physical health. Shared reading is a simple and gentle way to help people feel less alone. National research shows that shared reading can reduce depression and help people feel more connected. Shared Story sees this every week at their sessions. 

Many people who join ‘Not a Book Club’ have very limited social contact. Some are recently bereaved, others are living with long-term health conditions. Some have lost confidence after difficult life events. The group gives them a safe place to be themselves and to meet others who understand what they are going through. 

27 people aged between 35 and over 85 took part in ‘Not a Book Club’. The impact of this group was clear… 

  • 81% said their mental wellbeing had improved 
  • 70% felt more confident and less alone 
  • 81% said they now felt part of a community 

People also shared other positive changes. 

  • 70% learnt new things 
  • 75% felt a stronger sense of purpose 
  • 31% used the library more often 
  • 56% looked up authors or books at home 
  • 25% joined other activities they were signposted to 

Many people said the group gave them something meaningful to look forward to each week. Others said it helped them rediscover interests they had forgotten. Some said it encouraged them to read again for the first time in years. 

 

 

 

 

How Shared Story makes this possible

Funding from the York Community Fund made it possible for Shared Story to run the full 12-week programme and to create the alumni group. The grant covered the cost of the facilitator, the venue and the materials needed for the sessions. It also allowed the team to develop a new way for people to stay connected once the main group had finished. This support meant that the group could remain free and open to anyone who needed it. It also meant that people who were struggling financially did not have to worry about the cost of taking part. 

Shared Story is run by a small team of three individuals who care deeply about people and about the power of stories. Their approach is gentle and thoughtful. They take time to get to know each person and to understand what they need. They work closely with social prescribers, community organisations and local partners to reach people who may be isolated or who may not feel confident joining other groups. 

The team creates a warm and relaxed atmosphere where people feel safe to share their thoughts. They encourage people to listen to each other with kindness. Over time, this helps people build trust and form friendships. Many participants say the group has helped them feel part of something again. 

 

 

 

 

Meet Tony

Tony is 78, and he joined ‘Not a Book Club’ after an archaeology course he attended through social prescribing came to an end. He had experienced six bereavements in two years and felt very alone. He wanted something to fill the gap in his week and hoped he might meet people who understood what he was going through. 

He describes the group as a place where he realised he was not the only one facing difficult times. Listening to others helped him see his own experiences in a new light. The weekly sessions encouraged him to leave the house and gave him something positive to look forward to. 

A poem by Christina Rossetti sparked his curiosity and led him to read more about her life and the world she lived in. He had not done this kind of reading for many years. It reminded him of interests he once had and gave him something to explore at home between sessions.

For Tony, the best part of the group was the company. He said,

“It has been very helpful. It has given me a more positive outlook on life. My world had gone and I needed to find a new one. This has been the new way. It is a highlight each week.” 

 

 

 

 

Looking ahead

Shared Story hopes to reach more people across York. They want to offer more groups; more alumni support and more chances for people to connect through stories. They plan to work with more community partners and to reach people who are newly bereaved or feeling isolated. They also hope to explore new ways of using stories to support wellbeing, confidence and community connection. 

 

 

 

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