This project builds on previous research by the Centre for Research into Reading, Literature and Society at the University of Liverpool (CRILS), 'Assessing the intrinsic value, and health and well-being benefits, for individual and community, of The Reader's Volunteer Reader Scheme' (CRILS CVP). The study focused on a volunteer programme, which engaged people at risk of, or suffering from, mental health difficulties, isolation and unemployment. Examining every aspect of TR's volunteer experience - from participating in, to leading, a community reading group - the report concluded that the chief well-being benefits were: increased sense of purpose in life and of personal worth through shared literary reading; an active sense of belonging and of acceptance within a personalised community ethos; renewed belief in the value of one's work and contribution; a sense of the social as an inherent value, beyond overcoming deficit (such as loneliness). This follow-on project will spread the opportunities and benefits of The Reader's Volunteer Scheme (RVS) as widely and economically as possible, while maintaining the quality, richness and depth of the individual reader volunteer experience evidenced by the CRILS CVP study. In relation to reading literature for psychological health and development, its mission closely corresponds to the wider Cultural Value Project's recommended priority of 'creating the context and conditions for change' through cultural engagement and active citizenship. The follow-on activities proposed have three major strands, designed to enable the successful national roll-out of a reader volunteer model, which to date has been centred in the North-West and London. 1.To use the learning and evidence from CRILS CVP to collaborate with The Reader (TR) in producing online digital literary learning resources. We will co-create with TR training films in which CRILS will activate research findings in relation to literature from diverse periods, modelling skills in careful reading. Excerpts from reading groups - newly-filmed as well as selected from audio-video recordings generated as part of the original research data - will offer insights into group dynamics. A short publicity film will also be made to introduce potential volunteers and partners to the value of shared reading. It is essential for lasting impact that these films are attractively innovative and of the highest quality in order to attract interest and educated involvement. 2.To work closely with TR to consolidate its existing partnerships with the public sector (NHS, local government and library services) and develop new collaborative working (with third and corporate sector organisations). The aim of these partnerships will be to identify local champions committed to growing and embedding reader volunteering. By thus harnessing the assets of local communities in disseminating and embedding the use and value of these resources, the project will ensure that, as the volunteering initiative spreads nationally, it also remains locally-led, in the hands of those who are closest to, and understand best, the needs of local communities. 3.To use and refine evaluation methods developed in CRILS' original CVP research in order robustly to assess the beneficiary outcomes of individual volunteer experience within shared reading. Specifically, we will implement the explicit recommendations arising from CRILS' CVP report as to the most sensitive outcome measures for reporting benefit and test them across a broad population of beneficiaries. In so doing, we will also align our follow-on project with one of the key emphases of the AHRC's full Cultural Value Project report - namely the importance of embedding multi-criteria evaluation within arts' practice. The model, its methods and resources and the evaluation thereof, will be available to other organisations which partner.