Two Beyond Words Book Club members enjoying a story together

A Beyond Words Book Club member reading a story with a key worker

A Beyond Words Book Club member telling a story to key workers

There are now over 300 Beyond Words Book Clubs in England

We are so grateful to the National Lottery for helping us establish 300 free Book Clubs across England with our ‘Book Club in a Box’ Project.

Although the project funding is over we are still committed to helping you start your own club! This page has all the resources you need to get started and add your club to our map.

If you want to chat to us about starting a Book Club, click on the ‘Book a Meeting’ button at the bottom of the page.

What is a Beyond Words Book Club?

Book Clubs give people with learning disabilities somewhere to make friends, have fun, and tell their own stories.
A Beyond Words Book Club is a group that meets up regularly to read word-free picture stories from the Books Beyond Words series. As there are no words, the group takes it in turn to read the pictures and create the story together.
Why Are Book Clubs Needed?

For those who struggle with words, pictures offer a voice. Our word-free books remove the barrier of text, enabling participants to express themselves, build confidence, and discuss real-life topics like health and relationships. Thousands of people with learning disabilities are already finding their voice and transforming their lives through Beyond Words Book Clubs.
How do Book Clubs Work?
- Meet anywhere: libraries, day centres, cafes or online
- Run 45 - 60 minute sessions - weekly, fortnightly or monthly
- Use one Books Beyond Words title per session - explore the story together
- Talk, share, listen and laugh - everyone’s input is valued
Who Can Set Up a Beyond Words Book Club?
Anyone can set up a Beyond Words Book Club, but they are ideal for:
- People with learning disabilities
- Parents and carers
- Day service providers
- Library staff
- Schools, Colleges and SEN units
- Advocacy and support organisations
- Community and faith groups

Build your Book Club in a Box

Get your books…

Big Book Club Starter Set

£192.00

A collection of 2 copies of 10 of our most popular Book Club books, to help you start your own Book Club.

20 Books

… Add your Book Club Bits…

Book Club Starter Kit

£40.00

The Starter Kit - for new Book Clubs - includes our Book Club ‘how to’ guide, feelings charts, posters, and 10 member badges and lanyards. You can buy this as an add on to any book set.
Please note: this starter kit does not include any books.

… Learn How to Run a Session!

Foundation elearning module

£15.00

This elearning module gives an introduction to using our books and other resources, including how to start a Book Club.

See more details below. Note: price includes 20% VAT.

Want to start a Health Book Club? A School Club? Or just a fun, relaxed group?

Pair any Book Club Set with our Starter Kit to support inclusive conversations that matches your group’s needs!

See our book sets

It’s been an amazing experience for me - it’s such a rewarding thing to do. I look forward to it every two weeks. It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon - and to see the impact it has.

Jazz Behan, Book Club Facilitator
Aldingbourne Trust
Visual literacy has improved with all the students - they are now reading people's body language, through looking at the characters and asking open questions, 'I wonder how they are feeling', 'I wonder how they are doing'.

Leigh Blakeman, Tutor
Chadsgrove Education Trust Specialist College
During book club meetings, we've talked about difficult emotions, emotional regulation, and healthy relationships… to support the development of communication skills and the expression of empathy and self-reflection.

Kelly O’Brien, Health Improvement Practitioner Specialist (SEND)
Manchester Healthy Schools Programme
I think Book Clubs are brilliant. The books are good, the people are good and you make new friends as well!

Julie Anderson, Self Advocate and Book Club Co-Facilitator
By facilitating a Beyond Words Book Club, you will provide a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard

Sheila Baroness Hollins
Founder Chair Books Beyond Words CIO
We have seen service users grow in confidence... sharing your own stories gives a sense of identity, self-worth and increases self-esteem

Yasmin Bandali, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Hounslow Adult Learning Disability Health Team
It was great to hear everyone having a voice which meant that everyone was learning from each other. This gave the Book Club members the opportunity for their experiences, knowledge and interpretations to be heard and valued

Stephen Kill, National Eye Care Services Development Manager
SeeAbility
Hosting Beyond Words Book Clubs for the past 14 years has been one of the greatest joys of my life. These clubs don’t just bring people together - they create deep connections through the sharing of stories

Sue Carmichael, Book Club Champion
Kent Libraries and Books Beyond Words

What Makes Beyond Words Book Clubs so Transformative?

Amanda talks about what her Book Club means to her.

Beyond Words Book Clubs aren’t just about books - they’re about belonging, understanding and self-expression.

Book Club Resources

Donate to us

Ready to Help Someone Find Their Voice?

**Together we can build communities where everyone can be heard.**

Book in a meeting with the Beyond Words Team to start your Book Club with us!

Book a Meeting

There are now over 300 Beyond Words Book Clubs in England

What is a Beyond Words Book Club?

Why Are Book Clubs Needed?

How do Book Clubs Work?

Who Can Set Up a Beyond Words Book Club?

Build your Book Club in a Box

Get your books…

… Add your Book Club Bits…

… Learn How to Run a Session!

Want to start a Health Book Club? A School Club? Or just a fun, relaxed group?

It’s been an amazing experience for me - it’s such a rewarding thing to do. I look forward to it every two weeks. It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon - and to see the impact it has.

Visual literacy has improved with all the students - they are now reading people's body language, through looking at the characters and asking open questions, 'I wonder how they are feeling', 'I wonder how they are doing'.

During book club meetings, we've talked about difficult emotions, emotional regulation, and healthy relationships… to support the development of communication skills and the expression of empathy and self-reflection.

I think Book Clubs are brilliant. The books are good, the people are good and you make new friends as well!

By facilitating a Beyond Words Book Club, you will provide a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard

We have seen service users grow in confidence... sharing your own stories gives a sense of identity, self-worth and increases self-esteem

It was great to hear everyone having a voice which meant that everyone was learning from each other. This gave the Book Club members the opportunity for their experiences, knowledge and interpretations to be heard and valued

Hosting Beyond Words Book Clubs for the past 14 years has been one of the greatest joys of my life. These clubs don’t just bring people together - they create deep connections through the sharing of stories

What Makes Beyond Words Book Clubs so Transformative?

Beyond Words Book Clubs aren’t just about books - they’re about belonging, understanding and self-expression.

Ready to Help Someone Find Their Voice?

**Together we can build communities where everyone can be heard.**

Book in a meeting with the Beyond Words Team to start your Book Club with us!

Communications

Keep in touch