Take 10 to Read 2026 at the Christie Hospital

We asked staff, patients and visitors at the Christie: 'Why do you like reading, and how does reading help you?'

Read Manchester returned to The Christie Hospital in Withington for the fourth year running this October as part of our Take 10 to Read Campaign. Centred around World Mental Health Day on 10 October, Take 10 aims to encourage reading just ten minutes a day for its many positive effects on mental health.

Take 10 began in Manchester and is now a national campaign for the National Literacy Trust (Take 10 to Read | National Literacy Trust) and a tentpole moment for the National Year of Reading.

On Thursday 8th October the Read Manchester team and volunteers arrived at the Christie to give away free books and talk to staff, patients and visitors about the importance of reading and its powerful capabilities to reduce stress and promote wellbeing.

This year also featured an exciting visit from a special guest, writer and former doctor Adam Kay, author of the memoir This is Going to Hurt about his time as a junior doctor. Adam met with hospital staff, sharing his experiences and encouraging healthcare professionals to make time for reading. He also met children who were patients in the proton beam therapy centre, and read from his children’s book, Kay’s Gruesome Games.

A group of six individuals pose together in a photo frame promoting the 'Take 10 to Read' campaign. They are smiling and holding books, with banners in the background related to reading initiatives.
An author signing a book at a promotional event, with stacks of books and informational banners in the background.
A man in a checkered shirt stands next to a woman in blue scrubs, both smiling. The woman holds a book titled 'A Particularly Nasty Case' by Adam Kay. Behind them is a banner promoting reading and relaxation.
A young woman holding a book titled 'Adam Kay' stands next to a man with a beard. They are in a reading event setting with banners promoting reading and literacy in the background.

This is always one of our busiest events and this year was no exception, with a total of 1,500 books gifted over the course of the day, alongside hundreds of fantastic conversations about reading, both at our stalls with staff and visitors passing by, and with patients on the wards.

A further 300 books were distributed via The Christie’s satellite sites in Oldham, Macclesfield and Salford.

A smiling woman with purple-tinted hair and glasses stands at a table filled with books and informational signs. She is holding a pamphlet while conversing with another woman. In the background, a group of people are browsing the table displays, which promote a book giveaway event.
A group of people browsing books at a table during a literacy event, with various book covers visible and promotional materials in the background.
Four women holding a sign that promotes reading, standing indoors in a welcoming setting, with a visible exit sign in the background.
A smiling man in a white uniform holding a book titled 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' by Thomas Hardy, standing in front of a promotional backdrop for the 'Take 10' reading initiative.
A woman holding three books in front of a promotional display for the 'Take 10' reading campaign in Manchester.
Two women holding books titled 'This is Going to Hurt' at a promotional event, smiling in front of colorful banners.

While gifting books, we asked staff and visitors to provide their thoughts on reading via postcards and received 352 responses.

“I am here visiting with my son who is having treatment, I have just got back into reading and have found it gets me off my phone, long may reading continue.”

“Gives my eyes a rest from screens, allows me to mindfully absorb information instead of scrolling“

“Keeps my mind fresh and distracts me from all the scans and appointments“

“I love getting lost in a world a book creates, particularly when life itself feels hard“

“It’s peace and quiet while you sit in another world“

“I find it relaxing and it stops my anxiety getting overwhelming“

Our first questions were: ‘Why do you like to read?’ and ‘How does reading help you?’ Relaxation and stress reduction was by far the most common answer, with 283 mentions (80.4% of respondents). Escapism and distraction were also common responses, with 148 mentions (42% of respondents). Other common reasons included learning, improving vocabulary, as a sleep aid, as an alternative to screens, and of course, for pleasure!

Bar graph illustrating themes of why people enjoy reading, including relaxation and stress reduction, escapism and distraction, learning and education, pleasure, avoiding screens, aiding with sleep, and improving vocabulary and language skills.

Responses to the question ‘what do you think about receiving a free book today?’ were overwhelmingly positive:

A colorful word cloud featuring positive words and phrases related to receiving a free book, with prominent words like 'thank you', 'great', 'amazing', and 'excited'.

“I am grateful – this is helpful as I don’t read often so this will encourage me.“

“It is a great opportunity to discover new books I wouldn’t normally consider.”

“This is the best event, waited for all year! A great cause to help mental health.“

You can read more about the event here: Adam Kay joins The Christie Institute for special book giveaway celebrating reading and wellbeing

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