News

/News

Dame Penelope Keith

2026-07-01T09:02:02+00:00

All at Reading Force are so sad to hear of the death of our distinguished patron, Dame Penelope Keith Dame Penelope became a patron of Reading Force, the charity that connects military families through shared-reading, four years ago. We approached her because of her lifelong support for the military, and were gratified by her immediate interest in what we were doing. I had met her through the Surrey Military Partnership, and as a  military spouse myself was so heartened by her commitment to, and respect for, the military community. She was always an active patron of our [...]

Dame Penelope Keith 2026-07-01T09:02:02+00:00

Sharing Stories, Sharing Time: Reading Across Generations

2026-06-25T11:53:08+00:00

For Belinda, some of the most treasured family moments happen with a book in hand and a grandchild curled up beside her. Through shared stories, imagination and plenty of cuddles, reading has become a special way of bringing generations of her family together. Belinda and her husband Bill, a Royal Marines veteran who served for 11 years, first heard about Reading Force through their local veterans’ drop-in session. As a veteran family and grandparents to four girls, they quickly recognised how the initiative could help strengthen family connections through books. “Both Bill and I love [...]

Sharing Stories, Sharing Time: Reading Across Generations 2026-06-25T11:53:08+00:00

Would you like to coordinate a Reading Force book club?

2026-06-04T16:15:04+00:00

Not sure how to start a book club? No worries! Read on to find out more... It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time book club member, an avid reader, or want to get back into reading – you can volunteer to be a coordinator. “Thank you again so much for this wonderful opportunity. I have had some really positive feedback from the members who are very grateful to be a part of this.” Feedback from an RF book club coordinator Our book clubs are organised by volunteer coordinators, who have the full support from our Book Club Ambassador, Nicola. [...]

Would you like to coordinate a Reading Force book club? 2026-06-04T16:15:04+00:00

Q&A with Jen, Reading Force Ambassador in Northern Ireland

2026-06-04T13:59:03+00:00

We’re delighted to welcome our brilliant new team member, Jen Robinson. In this Q&A Jen talks about her love of books and how they’ve kept her “company and connected”. Can you share something about when you first heard of RF? When I first heard of Reading Force (and as a self-confessed bookworm) I was instantly drawn to the idea of a shared connection through books. It reminded me of catch-ups with friends and family, when the conversation inevitably moves to our latest favourite reads. And like so many members of the armed forces family, during my RAF [...]

Q&A with Jen, Reading Force Ambassador in Northern Ireland 2026-06-04T13:59:03+00:00

Sharing and exploring books during the MotMC

2026-05-22T13:00:52+00:00

During the Month of the Military Child we sent children at Carnagill School a bundle of books to review. They have been AMAZING at telling us what they thought about the books and we’ve loved hearing their reviews. In this blog, Sarah Bradshaw talks about  Reading Force at Carnagill: Stories That Brought Us Together During the Month of the Military Child, Carnagill School was incredibly grateful to receive a parcel of books from Reading Force to review—and what a moment it was when it arrived. The excitement of opening the parcel was immediate and infectious. Pupils [...]

Sharing and exploring books during the MotMC 2026-05-22T13:00:52+00:00

Alison Baverstock on Dyslexia

2026-05-19T11:54:55+00:00

I always feel I am onto something when related ideas come at me from different directions. Of late, this has been the case with dyslexia. Every child or young adult who registers with Reading Force receives both a book and an RF scrapbook or teen journal. We match books to children’s reading ages and special educational needs, and in the process have found ourselves sending a lot of titles to children with dyslexia. Parents and carers in the RF community are routinely surprised to find out that books to support those with dyslexia do exist. [...]

Alison Baverstock on Dyslexia 2026-05-19T11:54:55+00:00

Why Running the London Marathon Was a Dream Come True

2026-05-12T09:20:08+00:00

How running in aid of Reading Force made the journey even more meaningful for Becca Clark. For as long as I can remember, the idea of running the London Marathon has sparkled at the back of my mind like a distant, glittering finish line. I’ve watched the event on TV every April, marvelling at the thousands who pounded the city’s pavements with such resolve and heart, secretly hoping one day I’d be among them. This year, that dream finally came true—and the experience meant more to me than I ever could have imagined. From the [...]

Why Running the London Marathon Was a Dream Come True 2026-05-12T09:20:08+00:00

The Story Behind Dande-Lion Diaries

2026-05-05T11:26:06+00:00

We’re delighted to introduce Elise Norris, the creator of Dande-Lion books. Here she tells us why she wanted to publish personalised books for tri-service military children… Can you tell us what led you to create the Dande-Lion Diary books? I created our first personalised deployment book for our son, Alfie, in 2022. His dad was about to be deployed over his second birthday on a three-month exercise, and I wanted to ensure Alfie could understand where his dad was and feel reassured about his return. My professional background includes a decade of supporting children and [...]

The Story Behind Dande-Lion Diaries 2026-05-05T11:26:06+00:00

Q&A with award-winning children’s author Tom Palmer

2026-02-19T15:25:25+00:00

Tom has worked with Reading Force for over ten years and we’re really happy that he is also a patron of Reading Force. He has written children’s books set in the British Army (Over the Line), Royal Navy (Arctic Star) and Royal Air Force (Spitfire). Tom’s series Rugby Academy is about a school where most of the characters are service children. He works with Forces families to get the facts right. For over ten years you’ve been a wonderful advocate for Reading Force, and now we’re lucky to have you as [...]

Q&A with award-winning children’s author Tom Palmer 2026-02-19T15:25:25+00:00

TELL US A STORY 2025 Memoir Writing Competition Adult Winners

2026-01-30T11:25:58+00:00

We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who entered our Memoir Writing Competition. We were awestruck by your entries, the experiences and lives you’ve lived, enjoyed, survived, and captured in words. Thank you for trusting us with your stories and chapters. It has been very difficult to choose a winner, so much so, that the judges have chosen TWO winners! We are thrilled to announce that Catherine Williams and Julian Allen have won, and their memoirs will be published by Pen & Sword books – congratulations to both! Catherine’s book is about her [...]

TELL US A STORY 2025 Memoir Writing Competition Adult Winners 2026-01-30T11:25:58+00:00