Scottish Book Trust says those who read are less likely to be off with stress

Employers should create time for their employees to read while at work in a bid to reduce the nation’s stress levels, the chief executive of a Scottish charity has said.

Marc Lambert, the head of Scottish Book Trust, said it was time for all businesses and organisations to recognise the importance of fostering a reading culture in the workplace.

He made the call at the launch of the trust’s new project which will see four communities in Scotland appointed a dedicated reading ambassador whose job it is to enthuse local residents about books and making reading a fun, visible part of the community.

Research shows that stress affects one in five of the working population, yet we know reading for just six minutes can reduce your stress levels by up to 68%

He says businesses which appoint their own company reading ambassador, with the task of making books and reading a normal part of the working day, would reap the benefits.

“The reasons to do this are plentiful,” he said.

“Research shows that stress affects one in five of the working population, and is now the single biggest cause of sickness in the UK, yet we know that reading for just six minutes can reduce your stress levels by up to 68%.

“It also helps to boost your analytical thinking, empathy levels and vocabulary.

“Through the simple measure of creating a reading ambassador to oversee small changes such as creating a book swap area, scheduling reading breaks, marking out a dedicated reading space or starting a book club, businesses and organisations will give their staff a clear message that they value their personal health and development, and will be contributing to a wider social aim of promoting reading in every aspect of life."

The four reading communities in Scotland are Dalmuir in West Dunbartonshire, Craigmillar in Edinburgh, Shetland and Thurso in the Highlands.

Reading ambassadors will be supported financially and practically for nine months by the book trust.

Lambert made the call at the start of Book Week Scotland (23-29 November).

Over 450 author events will take place, with Scotland's best-loved writers and illustrators visiting libraries in every local authority, a programme funded by The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC).

Events are also being held in unusual locations such as a reading on Edinburgh Trams and there are also sold-out appearances from the likes of Paula Hawkins, Ian Rankin, Diana Gabaldon and Neil Oliver.

Other initiatives include 150,000 free copies of a short story and poem collection written by ordinary Scottish people, Journeys, will be handed out during the week via libraries, bookshops and other outlets.

Every primary one pupil in Scotland will be gifted three free picture books and older children at selected schools will be visited by comedian, actor and presenter Danny Wallace and author Melvin Burgess, who will tour schools around the country during the week.

As part of the theme of transformation, people across the country are also encouraged to share their stories of how books have inspired them or changed their life using #ThankBooks on social media.