📚 Take 10 to Read – Help Set a New GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title!

📅 Thursday 8 October 2026
⏰ 9am–9pm
💻 Online

Patients and families are invited to take part in a nationwide reading event on Thursday 8 October, when the National Literacy Trust and British Council will attempt to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most people reading online in 12 hours! 🌍📖

The event is part of the Take 10 to Read campaign and the National Year of Reading 2026.

The message is simple:

📖 Whatever you’re into, take 10 minutes to read into it!

Taking a little time out to read can be an enjoyable way to switch off from everyday pressures, and the event is open to children, young people and adults.

🕐 Choose a session

There are four different online sessions, repeated throughout the day:

👧 Ages 5–8 – 9am, 1pm or 5pm
Join author Rashmi Sirdeshpande for a reading of Super Uma, followed by a draw-along activity with illustrator Nakul P. ✏️🎨

🎬 Ages 8–12 – 10am, 2pm or 6pm
Frank Cottrell-Boyce will read from The Blockbusters! and explore themes including cinema and culture.

📱 Ages 12–16 – 11am, 3pm or 7pm
Nathanael Lessore will discuss themes from What Happens Online, including digital identity, confidence, family and school life.

⚠️ Please note: this session includes humorous/embarrassing anecdotes relating to bodily functions and toileting accidents, which some viewers may find unsuitable or uncomfortable.

🧑📚 Ages 16+ – 12 noon, 4pm or 8pm
Coco Omer and Zubs, alongside reading ambassadors, will discuss their connection with reading and what it means for their wellbeing. 💚

🕐 All times are British Summer Time (BST).

🌟 How do I take part?

You only need to participate in one session to be part of the world record attempt!

Each online session includes a dedicated 10-minute period when everyone reads together. This is the part that will count towards the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt. 📚🌍

✅ Registration is free
💻 Take part from home
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Sessions for different ages
⏱️ Just 10 minutes of reading can help you be part of the record attempt

Once you’ve registered, the organisers will email you a link to join the event.

🔗 Find out more and register

National Literacy Trust – Take 10 Record Attempt:
https://literacytrust.org.uk/events/take-10-record-attempt/

📚 Whether you’re into novels, comics, sport, history, magazines or something completely different, why not Take 10 to Read on 8 October and be part of a world record attempt? 🌍🏆