A ‘SHARED reading space' has opened at Birkenhead's Central Library to help bring the community together through literature.

The project, created by Wirral Council's public health team and Liverpool-based charity The Reader, aims to spark a 'reading revolution' by helping reduce social isolation and improve well-being.

The Reader's founder Jane Davis said: "We know loneliness is now considered an important public health problem by government, with greater emphasis on the need to 'stay healthy' and 'age well'.

"At The Reader, we believe a reading revolution that helps people come together, around great literature, to talk, laugh and share is a simple way to create healthy communities.

"We urge those that can to think about joining or leading a shared reading group in Birkenhead, Wirral and beyond."

Cllr Chris Jones, Wirral's cabinet member for adult care and health, said: "This innovative space, created by The Reader and backed up by our public health team, will enhance the lives of people in Wirral.

"Shared reading groups can improve wellbeing, reduce social isolation and build stronger, more supportive communities.

"I'm proud to be supporting this initiative and fully expect it to empower more people to enjoy reading, alone and together."

Wirral currently has 25 groups running, from Birkenhead to West Kirby, with some extending to hard-to-reach groups including dementia care homes and probation services.

It is hoped the space, with a team of volunteers and 'Reader Leaders', will encourage locals to build a reading community outside of weekly groups.

The project is backed by Wirral’s Public Health team, which has recently committed to the long term provision of Shared Reading as an essential service for residents.

Julie Webster, acting director for public health and wellbeing said: "I am very pleased that we have developed our relationship with The Reader to promote the power of shared reading to local people.

"The feedback we've had from residents taking part in Reader sessions is very powerful and goes well beyond attendance at reading groups to feeling more in control of their lives and learning new skills."

Groups are free and open to all, normally last an hour or an hour and a half, and run every week in local community spaces.