Fancy taking a break from your busy life for an hour? We have just the tonic, a read and relax session at one of Halton Borough Council’s libraries, launched in partnership with a local charity.

Groups take place on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 11.30am at Widnes Library. And 12noon to 1pm on Thursdays at Halton Lea Library in Runcorn.

In partnership with charity, The Reader, staff launched the friendly, welcoming sessions to read aloud a book, short story or poem.

Group members can choose to read aloud, share personal reflections or simply listen – in this way, people can form real connections with the stories and each other.

Since 2008, The Reader, a charitable organisation that support shared reading groups in different settings has worked for the community.

The local charity based in Calderstones Park, Liverpool. has pioneered the use of Shared Reading to improve well-being, reduce social isolation and build resilience in diverse communities across the UK and beyond.

Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Libraries, Cllr Phil Harris, said: “This simple idea changes lives and builds communities. “