You might never discover the joy of stories told through books. But, crucially, you might also find the world around you much harder to navigate.

At the Edinburgh International Book Festival we are committed to making the world of words accessible to everyone. Our year-round work in communities takes books and storytelling to people who may feel excluded from literature. We help participants gain greater enjoyment from reading. In doing so, we help build skills and confidence, which is essential for bringing about longer-term changes to those we work with.

Picture: Kevin Barry at last year’s festival

This year we want to support adults facing homelessness, helping them to build reading skills and gain greater enjoyment from books. People within the homeless community frequently lack access to books and reading materials. Some of them struggle with reading, which in turn makes it harder for them to access support.

We need help to do so – can you make this project a reality?

Donate Now

Here’s what we want to do…

Deliver regular supported reading sessions with members of the homeless community, which focus on reading / listening to books for pleasure.

Provide access to a range of accessible book formats, including audio books.

Support participants to discuss the books they read over a shared meal.

Provide free tickets to Book Festival events during August.

Encourage participants to build positive relationships with each other.

Help participants gain confidence – a crucial step in recovery from homelessness.

“Attending this group has been a life line for me. I have gained confidence and met so many inspirational people. Ordinary people, extraordinary people!
Participant, Community Writing Group, 2019

Jeff, Communities Programme participant, reading his poetry at Stories & Scran, August Book Festival 2020.

Book Festival partners Scran Academy, who support young people to thrive by teaching catering skills, serving up a tasty meal for our community programme participants at our Citizen Winter Warmer event in Musselburgh.  “It was a life affirming experience, something different, something to remember.
Community Participants, 2020

What your support can do:

£10 would provide an easy-to-read book or audio book

£14 would allow a participant to meet an author face-to-face during our Festival

£25 would contribute to the meal during our informal book club sessions

£50 would pay for room hire for one session

£200 would pay for our specialist facilitator to prepare for and lead one group session

Make a donation

Help us get this project off the ground with a donation towards our work in communities.

If you have got any questions or would like to find out other ways in which you can support the work of the Book Festival, please contact the Development team on 0131 718 5653 or send us an email to development@edbookfest.co.uk.

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