Shared Reading Project
Hughenden Manor

In the quiet, calming bookshop of Hughenden Manor, trained Reader Leader Elizabeth Went offered poems, biscuits, and a welcoming greeting. Another participant showed the group a material 'postcard' they made, inspired by the previous session's poems and thoughts. There was a colorful background with various flowers, which this participant joyfully explained. She had also made fabric bags inspired by the previous session. Elizabeth then led the session into the world of poetry, centering around 'The Language of Flowers,' which was the current theme at Hughenden Manor. There were encouraging offers to read aloud and reflect on any imagery, thoughts, or feelings that came about from reading the poem. This stimulated a wonderful conversation, and participants shared memories and stories with each other.

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This project was created to support Buckinghamshire's Culture Social Prescribing project. There have been a number of studies linking specific activities, such as taking up a hobby, exercising, or joining a social group, to improving an individual's health and well-being. Social prescribing, a means of referring people to non-clinical services as part of a holistic approach to health and well-being, employs this approach. Cue 34 and the National Trust Hughenden Manor joined forces in Summer 2023 to offer a series of six shared reading sessions to support well-being and provide a place to share thoughts, insights, feelings, or memories evoked by poetry