Island Care Home Residents Embrace Reading Initiative

Care homes across the Isle of Wight are taking part in a range of reading activities as part of the National Year of Reading.

Isle of Wight Council is supporting the initiative across its four homes — The Adelaide, The Gouldings, Plean Dene and Westminster House — highlighting the benefits of reading for wellbeing and social connection.

Working alongside the Island’s library service, residents now have improved access to books, including large-print titles available on site, as well as regular book chat sessions.

Activities and wellbeing co-ordinator Natalie Barker said reading can help spark memories, encourage conversation and provide comfort.

Residents are also being introduced to services such as home book deliveries and digital platforms offering eBooks, audiobooks and newspapers.

Local authors are set to visit as part of a new speaker series, while all four homes will mark World Book Night on 23 April with a shared reading session.

Further plans include building links with local schools to encourage intergenerational reading, helping to foster a love of books across all ages.