When the founder of Reading Force, Alison Baverstock, visited Cyprus in the summer of 2023 she gave several talks at the Akrotiri Hive. In the audience was Sarah, who pricked up her ears when Alison mentioned that in addition to family shared-reading with scrapbooks, Reading Force also support the setting up of book clubs.
These aim to connect people from a Forces background, particularly when they are wanting to make new friends. A keen reader, and newly arrived from Blandford with her husband and 18-month-old son, Sarah thought for ages about whether or not to volunteer.
She eventually got in touch with Nicola, the Reading Force Book Club Ambassador, and during a series of Teams meetings they talked about how it could work. Sarah then put a post on Facebook asking if anyone else was interested in joining – and was amazed when over 50 people were keen. She set up a WhatsApp group to link responders and 20 signed up. She asked them which of the suggested titles they would most like to read and ordered the books. In order to get things started, Reading Force provide three free titles for every club member.
The books arrived and she handed them out. The next step was to find somewhere to host the club, and the local bowling club offered to lend her premises. Even better, they did not charge. Ten people turned up, with others keen to come next time.
Although there was not enough time for everyone to read the book before the first meeting, they had a really stimulating chat about the sort of books they like to read and committed to reading their first free title, Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, before the next meeting.
Sarah’s husband is in the Army, but as they are living in Akrotiri (mainly an RAF station) she knew very few people on arrival. She says that the book club helped her make new friends and boosted her confidence – ‘I had not had to write a proper email for a long time’. A shy person by nature, she has been really surprised by how much she has enjoyed managing the club and keeping people in touch. ‘It was so enjoyable to meet without husbands or children, and talk about something else’. Using her initiative and setting up a club will also develop her CV, ready for when she next needs to apply for a job.
Right now, everyone is looking forward to the next meeting when the second book will be handed out. Reading Force will give Sarah support and guidance on how to keep the group going once the free books are used up, with the base library already offering to help. Read on!
If you would like to consider setting up a Reading Force Book Club please contact Nicola@readingforce.org.uk If you would like to ask about joining the Akrotiri Book Club, please contact the Akrotiri Hive.