Advocacy in Action: How a university shared reading project reaches homeless readers in Scotland

Gray, Avril

Abstract

This paper provides genuine insight into the rationale for an approach to inclusivity that penetrates to the very edges of society. It underpins the need to find better methods to reach readers beyond the boundaries, for whom “books are more important than food”. Working with 28 organisations supporting homeless people, and connecting with charitable trusts, community projects, government bodies, and industry, this paper explores how a university sharedreading initiative moved beyond the campus onto the streets to make a concentrated commitment to diversity and inclusion with some of society’s most vulnerable, yet challenging, human beings. The initiative has attracted institutional partners across Scotland and as far afield as Australia.

Citation

Gray, A. (2021, March). Advocacy in Action: How a university shared reading project reaches homeless readers in Scotland. Paper presented at AdvanceHE Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference, Online

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: AdvanceHE Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference
• Start Date: Mar 16, 2021
• End Date: Mar 18, 2021
• Deposit Date: May 21, 2021
• Keywords: Homelessness, Reading initiatives, Inclusivity, Literacy, Advocacy
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2774410
• Publisher URL: https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/programmes-events/conferences/EDIConf20