Reading scheme is a tonic for young patients

The new initiative, Readwell, was launched at the Oxford Children’s Hospital, next to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington.

The scheme, organised by national charity Read for Good, hopes to cheer up, and aid the recovery of, children on the wards The children’s hospital will receive 100 new books every month, and young readers will also get regular visits from storytellers.

Professional Oxford storyteller Adele Moss visited youngsters at the hospital for the event.

She said: “It was a delightful experience telling stories at the children’s hospital.”

The performer uses improvisation and puppets to get children more involved in her stories.

She added: “I feel it is a great mood changer and really engages children to think about stories.

“I am really delighted that Readwell asked me to join in the project. The children’s responses to the books was really wonderful.”

Mary Ashdown, a teacher at the Oxfordshire Hospital School, on the site, said: “New books are vital in a hospital setting because it’s really important to reduce the spread of infection.

“The regular supply of new books from Readwell means that all the children and young people, including those in isolation, have access to a great selection of books from which to choose.”

The books are chosen to provide entertainment, comfort and reassurance to children, parents and carers at the hospital.

Francesca Stich, who runs Readwell, said: “We believe that reading or sharing a story is not only a delightful diversion, but is a comfort too.

“The idea that reading for pleasure can make us emotionally and physically stronger goes back to Plato.

“Reading fiction can help a child who is stuck in hospital travel to an imaginary world.

“It is such a wonderful feeling to be able to take them there, especially when they are so poorly.”

bwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk For more information on the charity, or to make a donation, call 0870 240 1124.