Q & A with Glenda, Reading Force Serving Families: On the Move Coordinator in Aldershot – Daytime.
Glenda joined the Reading Force team as part of our Serving Families: On the Move programme which is generously funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Here she shares what being a Serving Families: On the Move Coordinator involves and a favourite book!
We’re thrilled to have you on the team – tell us a little about why you chose to join the Reading Force team…
I actually heard about the position through the local veteran’s hub which runs from Aldershot Town Football club (The Shots). I love reading especially murder mysteries, my all-time favourite author is Agatha Christie and at one time I did own every one of her books!
Can you tell us a little more about your Coordinator role?
I am the coordinator of the daytime book club which runs from Maurice Toye House in Aldershot. Here I welcome book club members who are new to the area and would like to make some new friends through a shared love of reading, whilst also finding out about the local area.
We do all of this in an informal way over a drink and some snacks. I also look for new places to go to promote Reading Force such as coffee mornings and places where we can leaflet drop or put up some posters.
What would you say to a spouse/partner who is new* to the area and is unsure about attending their first session?
Come along, the sessions are very relaxed and totally free. They run for two hours but you are welcome to drop in at any time during that session and stay for as long as you like.
Have a drink and a chat with others who are in a similar situation to yourself. The added bonus is that you also get FREE books which you can come and chat about once you have read them. We can also help you out with some local knowledge if you are looking for other places or activities in the area, to help you settle in. What is not to like?
What do you love most about being our Serving Families: On the Move Coordinator in Aldershot Garrison?
As well as the book club I find it great as I’ve lived here for quite a long time and enjoy sharing information on other activities, groups etc. that might interest someone who is new here.
One last question, can you tell us a little about one of the books you’ve read with your book club members, and why you would recommend it to the Reading Force community?
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – it was a nice easy to read book set in an aquarium. Despite the setting the story involved solving a long-time mystery. I love a good mystery though may well have overlooked this if it had not been recommended to me. I think other members of the Reading Force community would also enjoy this title.
Thank you for answering these questions!
*Within the last 24 months of attending the first session.
Our Book Club & Chat sessions are located in Catterick, Tidworth (including Bulford, Larkhill, Ludgershall, Netheravon and Perham Down) and Aldershot (including Farnborough, Farnham and Fleet). The Serving Families: On the Move programme is generously funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to improve the quality of life for Service families who are impacted by relocation as a direct result of Service life.
For more info visit our website www.readingforce.org.uk/good-way-to-make-friends, email rf.bookclubinfo@gmail.com or call Nicola on 07519 665410.