Q & A with Laura, Reading Force Serving Families: On the Move Coordinator in Catterick Garrison.
Laura 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…
As a military spouse and mother of Service children, I understand how important it is to have that extra support and sense of connection. Reading Force provides something really special for military families and I admire how passionate the charity is about making a difference. I’ve always loved books and believe in the power of reading to bring people together, build confidence and create lasting memories. Being able to support an organisation that combines all of those things is something I’m genuinely excited about.
Can you tell us a little more about your Coordinator role?
My role is to organise and host our monthly book club meetings for military spouses and partners, and help create a friendly, welcoming space where everyone can relax and enjoy a couple of hours away from the demands of everyday life. I love seeing people connect, share experiences and build friendships. Military life can sometimes feel isolating, so I’m grateful to play a small part in creating a sense of community and support through the book club.
What would you say to a spouse/partner who is new* to the area and is unsure about attending their first session?
Walking into a new group can feel daunting, especially if you’re new to the area, but I can promise that you will be met with friendly faces and a very warm welcome! Many of us come along not knowing anyone, so we understand exactly how it feels! But our book club is more than just books, it’s a chance to meet new people, have a chat, share a few laughs and enjoy some time for yourself.
What do you love most about being our Serving Families: On the Move Coordinator in Catterick Garrison?
Seeing the friendships and connections grow through the book club is the absolute highlight of my role. It’s wonderful watching people who may have been strangers at their first session, become familiar faces who look forward to getting together each month. I always leave our sessions feeling really happy and grateful to have been a part of something so positive.
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?
One of my favourite books we’ve read as a group was Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. It was such a fun book to discuss because not everyone felt the same way about it which made for some really interesting conversations and different perspectives.
It was also great to revisit the story when the adaptation was released, as it gave us the chance to compare the book and the screen version and hear everyone’s different opinions all over again.
I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a cosy, heartwarming read with memorable characters and a touch of mystery.
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.