Reading is a great way to relax, boost your mood and escape the pressures of daily life. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to take 10 minutes to read on Friday 10 October to feel the wellbeing benefits of reading.
#Take10ToRead is Read Manchester’s annual campaign to promote the mental health and wellbeing benefits of reading, marking World Mental Health Day. Since 2018, the campaign has gone from strength to strength and is now promoted nationally with support from the National Literacy Trust. Last year, nearly 100,000 children, young people and adults from across the UK took part.
This year we’re planning some brilliant book give-aways at both The Christie and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospitals, chatting to patients and staff about reading and how it can help us relax and also feel connected to others.
School pupils will also be treated to a lively session on 10th October with poet Oliver Sykes at Manchester Central Library. Oliver’s poem Your Climb explores how regularly reading for 10 minutes a day can also help children to experience longer-term benefits, including the vital literacy skills needed to succeed at school, work and in life, as well as being fun!
Ways to get involved
Set up a book swap at your work/school/club
If you have books at home, you could set up a book swap at work or with friends. If you work in an organisation who might like to get involved, why not join the pledge to #Take10toRead? Joining the pledge will give your organisation access to campaign materials and ideas to try.
Spread the word on social media
Why not talk about and promote #Take10ToRead on your social media channels, here are a few ways you can get involved:
- Take a photo of your favourite place to read and share it with your friends and family, letting them know you’re taking 10 minutes to read.
- You can use one of our suggested captions (see below) or write your own.
- If you feel comfortable, you could also share stories about how reading has helped your own children develop a love of books.
Reading is a great way to give your brain a rest and your mood a boost.
Today, I’m joining the @National Literacy Trust and #ReadMCR and I’m inviting you to join us and #Take10ToRead at 10am on Friday 10 October in support of World Mental Health Day.
I love getting lost in a good book – when I’m reading, I’m not thinking about anything else. It helps me to switch off. Today, I am taking 10 minutes to read with #ReadMCR. Try it for 10 minutes today and see where it takes you. #Take10ToRead
The campaign hashtag is #Take10ToRead and please tag
#ReadMCR (across all platforms)
#Take10toRead (across all platforms)
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