Dorset's Home Library Service (HLS) is looking to grow its free service for housebound readers in the Lyme Regis area.
Run by the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), the free service brings books to people who can no longer get to the library.
A team of RVS volunteers living in the area runs the service on a monthly basis from Lyme Regis Library.
The volunteers choose and/or deliver books, after an initial assessment visit to establish the readers' needs and preferences.
They share their love of reading with the people they visit and are a friendly face, regularly visiting those whose mobility and social interactions are limited, and they provide a useful check on the safety and well-being of their readers, too.
Ian Rumble, volunteer coordinator for the HLS in the Lyme area, said: "For people who enjoy reading or listening to audio recordings, but find getting out of the house challenging, this service offers a vital link to Lyme Library and the wider resources of libraries throughout Dorset and beyond.
"The service enables them to carry on doing what they've always enjoyed and helps alleviate feelings of isolation of loneliness and puts a smile on their faces."
The Home Library Service was recognised earlier this year for its 'great and valuable services to the community in enhancing their lives' throughout Dorset when it received the High Sheriff of Dorset's Award at a ceremony in March.
Incumbent High Sheriff, Anthony Woodhouse, presented Maria Jacobson, service manager for RVS's HLS in Dorset, with the award and spoke of Royal Voluntary Service as 'an exceptional charity that brings the library service to people who can no longer reach their local facility.'
Callum Bremner, current High Sheriff of Dorset who lives locally, visited staff at Lyme Library and met volunteers from RVS's HLS to see for himself what resources and support are on offer and how he could assist in broadening the readership across the town and beyond.
The Home Library Service is delivered free of charge; it is not just for older people, but for anybody who finds getting to the library difficult, including carers, on a long or short-term basis.
To find out more or to request the service, please contact the Library switchboard on 01297 443151, email Ian on:
ian.rumble@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or call him on 07779 919678
