“Read while you Wait” initiative comes to HSE healthcare settings in Co. Wexford

The Paediatric Outpatients Department at Wexford General Hospital was the setting for the launch by HSE Dublin and South East of the “Read while you wait” initiative in Co. Wexford.

Developed in partnership with Wexford Library Service, it will see small bookshelves, stocked with children's books, available to families in waiting rooms at HSE hospital and community healthcare service locations across Co. Wexford.

The initiative is also supported by the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) and Adult Literacy for Life.

“Read while you wait” is a simple, family and adult literacy initiative that places small bookshelves stocked with children's books in healthcare and community waiting areas.

Families are encouraged to pick up a book and read together while they wait. The books stay in the waiting area so other families can enjoy them too.

The initiative began as a pilot in Co. Waterford, where it received very positive feedback from families and staff. The pilot showed how a simple, low-cost resource can help make waiting time more positive while creating opportunities for parents and children to read together in an everyday setting.

Following the Waterford pilot, the initiative is now being expanded into Co. Wexford. Sites already confirmed include the Wexford Primary Care Centre, Gorey Health Centre, New Ross Health Centre, the Paediatric Outpatients Department at Wexford General Hospital and the Children's Disability Network centre in Barntown.

The project aims to encourage parents and children to read together, support early language and literacy development, promote positive reading habits and demonstrate that opportunities to support literacy can be built into familiar, everyday settings.

Speaking at the launch in Wexford General Hospital, Lisa Nangle (Senior Health Promotion Officer, HSE Wexford) said:

"Reading with children from an early age is one of the most effective ways to support language, learning and wellbeing. The ‘Read While You Wait’ initiative creates opportunities for families to enjoy books together during everyday moments, turning waiting time into quality time. The HSE are delighted to support this partnership in Co. Wexford, which brings together health services, libraries and literacy services to promote positive reading habits and support children's development in a simple and accessible way. Each participating waiting area will have a small bookshelf with a selection of age-appropriate children's books. Staff at participating sites will help encourage families to use the books while they wait.

Orla Fahy (Physiotherapist Manager in Charge, Wexford General Hospital) added:

"Wexford General Hospital are delighted to welcome the ‘Read While You Wait’ initiative to our Paediatric Outpatients Department. Hospital visits can sometimes involve periods of waiting for children and their families, and this initiative provides a positive and engaging way to make that time more enjoyable. Reading together not only helps pass the time but also supports children's learning and development. We are pleased to be part of a project that promotes literacy, wellbeing and family engagement in such a practical and meaningful way."

Speaking at the launch, Edel Finan (Regional Literacy Co-ordinator, WWETB and Adult Literacy for Life) said:

"One of the things we learned from the Waterford pilot is that something very simple can create a lovely opportunity for families to read together. ‘Read While You Wait’ is about making some of time in Waiting Rooms an opportunity to pick up a book, share a story and enjoy reading together. I'm delighted that, with support from WWETB and funding from Adult Literacy for Life, we can now bring this initiative to HSE facilities in Co. Wexford. I am particularly happy that Wexford Library Service has come on board as a partner. Libraries are such an important part of supporting reading and literacy in our communities, so it feels like a very natural partnership."

Yvonne Smith (Senior Executive Librarian, Wexford Library Service) said:

"Wexford Library Service is delighted to partner with Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) on the ‘Read While You Wait’ initiative. We were proud to select and supply the book collections for this wonderful project, bringing the joy of reading into the HSE’s healthcare service waiting areas. By encouraging parents and children to read together, the initiative helps foster a lifelong love of reading, supports language and literacy development, and connects families with the wide range of resources and services available through their local library."

The Wexford expansion builds on the learning from the original Waterford pilot led by Margaret Howard (Learner Support Coordinator, WWETB), who added:

"The small pockets of time that arise in waiting rooms are the perfect opportunity to share a book, which benefits multiple early literacy skills and nurtures the connection between parent and child. Many thanks to all those who are supporting this project. The Wexford expansion will explore how partnerships between health services, libraries and literacy services can create more opportunities for reading and family learning in places families already use.”