Social worker honoured for championing reading at secure unit

A social worker has been honoured for her work promoting reading at an adolescent psychiatric unit in Newcastle.

Janice Hutton, who works at the Roycroft clinic in Gosforth, was one of 34 people awarded the status of “reading hero” as part of the National Year of Reading campaign.

Hutton, who is employed by Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust, has improved access to books at the unit, set up reading groups for young people and hosted reading sessions with well-known authors. She has also worked with the local library service to promote access to reading for young people preparing to leave the unit.

Hutton, who has dyslexia, said: “Being acknowledged for helping people to enjoy and benefit from reading is an unexpected honour. I love reading – it really can make a difference to your life, it opens so many doors.”

The National Year of Reading was a year-long celebration of reading held last year, run by the National Literacy Trust and the Reading Agency, on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.