We are so delighted to announce that Yours has teamed up with the UK charity The Reading Agency for a brand-new partnership that’s all about using the power of stories to do good.
Reading Friends is The Reading Agency’s scheme to combat loneliness and raise spirits by inviting volunteers to form connections with people at risk of isolation through a shared love of books and stories. They also create resources that anyone can use to make connections with friends, neighbours and loved ones through reading.
Now, we're so pleased to announce that a selection of our favourite fiction and non-fiction stories from Yours, Yours Retro and the Yours Fiction specials will be included in the Reading Friends scheme, available through libraries across England as well as being accessible to anyone online.
The stories are shared through two toolkits that come with questions to prompt conversation, making them ideal for getting to know a stranger better or to deepen your connection with a friend or loved one.
The first toolkit, called Feel-Good Fiction, features a selection of uplifting short stories that can't help but make you smile.
Meanwhile, the second, called the Nostalgia Collection, features a mixture of historical and retro short stories as well as some brilliant non-fiction nostalgia features, from children's birthday parties of yesteryear to the joy of Andy Pandy.
You could use the toolkits as a conversation starter with a neighbour who is at risk of loneliness or as a bit of fun with a group of friends or book club. Alternatively, pop into your local library and ask about the Reading Friends project to be partnered with a friendly volunteer who could use the toolkits to get to know you better.
To download and/or print off the toolkits from the Reading Agency website please follow the links below: