Beyond Words Book Clubs
A place for people with and without learning disabilities to make friends, have fun and tell their stories.
““I think Book Clubs are brilliant. The books are good, the people are good and you make new friends as well! It makes me feel good to do Book Club.” ”
A Beyond Words Book Club is a group that meets up regularly to read books from the word-free picture series Books Beyond Words.
We read the pictures as there are no words, making up the stories between us. We make friends and have fun. Read more about Book Clubs with our The Book Club ebook, available for free with discount code BOOKCLUB24 during March to celebrate the launch of our Book Club in a Box project.
Book Clubs are often in local libraries, but they can be run anywhere you have space to meet and people who want to read. Some clubs run in community cafes, day centres or other places. It is good to be in local places so you can become part of the community. Some clubs even meet online using Zoom or similar meeting websites. Find one near you on our map.
Each club lasts 45 minutes to one hour. Different clubs meet at different times. Some meet once a week, some once a fortnight, and some once a month.
Why are Beyond Words Book Clubs important?
““They are so unique – and they work to welcome everyone. Not only do the Book Clubs provide the space for people with learning disabilities to have fun and make friends, but they also bring them into contact with their communities, breaking down barriers and building real connections.””
Everyone knows pictures are powerful - our level of visual literacy is what helps us draw connections and understanding. It tells us that a smile means someone is happy to see us, or that a green light means go.
People who find written words difficult are often very good at reading pictures. Our Book Clubs use word-free picture stories to create a safe space where people who can read pictures can make friends, have fun and talk about the issues that affect their lives - as well as enjoying a good book!
Beyond Words Book Clubs are great for all sorts of people, from people with learning disabilities to refugees, people living with dementia, d/Deaf people and more. As there are no words in our stories, each group builds their own according to their own life experiences, letting them build a bond and talk about their feelings and lives.
Creating your own Beyond Words Book Club
We are always looking for people who want to start their own Book Club to get in touch.
Our Book Club in a Box project can send you a starter kit with everything you need to create your own, including books, training, a How To guide, member badges, lanyards, promotional materials and access to a network of other Book Clubs to help you get started. Thanks to generous National Lottery funding, we can provide this free to new Book Clubs based in England.
Recommended resources
Our favourite resources to help you get equipped for running a Beyond Words book club.
Book Club Starter Guide
How to Host an Online Book Club
How to Join an Online Book Club
Ask us about Book Clubs
Want to find out more about joining a club or maybe even setting one up yourself? Contact us using the form below.