{
  "abstract": "Background The Reading Round is a unique opportunity for palliative patients to discover new texts, experience a variety of writing techniques and share differing perspectives on short stories and poems over six weeks. It is led by a published writer, who can bring insights into the crafting of texts.Aims The Royal Literary Fund piloted the Reading Round at Fair Havens hoping to support the wellbeing of those we care for and promote the rewards of exploring literature as a group. Benefits included learning new skills, stimulating the mind, growing in confidence and creating friendships. It was accessible to all as the story/poem was read aloud and a copy of the text was provided. There was no preparation needed.Methods We invited those who we knew enjoyed reading but also welcomed people who were open to something different. Each session was 90 minutes. The ground rules, explained at the start, enabled people to know what to expect and feel comfortable in either sharing their interpretations – or simply enjoying listening.Results The pilot proved incredibly popular and we received inspiring feedback. One participant told us they felt encouraged to begin writing again, ‘ it was like finding an old friend’. Another said that it ‘made parts of their mind that have been asleep, come awake’. Others shared that the Reading Round opened their interest and had reignited their love of reading. One member, who had lost all movement in their arms, shared that the Reading Round had given them the boost they needed to explore audiobooks as reading had always been a passion of theirs.Conclusions Since the successful pilot, writers from around the UK have visited sessions at Fair Havens to learn how to implement the Reading Round in their local hospice. Another Reading Round has taken place in Kent.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Havens Hospices, Southend-on-Sea, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Christine Harris"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The Royal Literary Fund, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Syd Moore"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P-47 The reading round – supporting wellbeing and empowering people through literature",
  "uid": "6981ceee-130d-5255-aadb-0bc4f792a1d1"
}