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Take 10 to Read

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Escape into a book and #Take10toRead

Life is busy and it isn’t always easy to find time for yourself.

Reading can help you relax, boost your mood and escape elsewhere – and it doesn’t have to be a book. It could be the post-match analysis of Saturday’s football game, an interview with your favourite actor, DIY hacks or even recipes. Reading something that interests you can transport you away from day-to-day life.

That’s why, on Friday 10 October for World Mental Health Day we are calling on the nation to #Take10ToRead.

Take 10 to Read is a reading for pleasure campaign to promote the wellbeing benefits of reading. We have resources that can be used year-round to support the campaign.

Why not check out our tips for making reading fun at home?

Get involved!

  • Support your pupils and students to Take 10, inspiring them to keep reading for enjoyment every day at school and at home.
    Learn more
  • Support your staff, colleagues their families and your community to Take 10 every day to boost their mood.
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  • Sharing a book with a child is fun. It's a time for affection, laughing and talking together. And it can also give children a head start in life by helping them become lifelong readers.
    Learn more

Our research

Our latest research which explores children and young people's reading in 2025 shows the power of reading to boost our mental health and wellbeing. Over half of children and young people aged 8 to 18 who enjoy reading said that they read because it relaxed them, and around 2 in 5 read because it made them feel happy.

Reading can help everyone and is a great way to:

  • Relax, unwind and boost your mood

  • Escape from the pressures of life and reduce stress levels

  • Improve memory and concentration

Previous Take 10 moments

The National Literacy Trust celebrates #Take10ToRead each year to inspire people, young and old, to read and feel the benefits to their mental health and wellbeing. Thousands of people across the UK drop everything and read together for 10 minutes.

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