Readers Go Wild.

More people have started reading since the Books for Free store relocated to Bevois Valley, and so far nearly 4,000 books have been given away.

The free bookshop on Onslow Road, which is part of the Third Age Community Centre, faced struggles earlier on this year when asked to move from the bookshop in Southampton high street.

Fifty-two year old, Cara Sandy, the head volunteer at Books for Free discussed her thoughts on how the book shop could become a “distribution point” for other charities within the local area.

Cara spoke of her visits to the local housing associations, who were “so enthusiastic,” about the thought of having books filling the shelves for residents to look at.

Martin Blair, 60, a volunteer at the bookshop spoke of his worries that the bookshops location was “not a good catchment area”, but he was extremely pleased with working within the bookshop as there is “no pressure.”

Martin previously volunteered at the teashop in Southampton General Hospital but found he was bored, as he did not get a paid job at the end; the bookshop is a great place for him to work as he has a very keen interest in History.

Darren Galpin, 39, of Portswood also volunteers in the shop and he believes the bookshop is a good way of “reaching out to the community” and that it’s not about the donations it is also about giving back to the community. 

This was written as part of my journalism course, I would be grateful for feedback on my piece and future pieces.