Free books given away on Bee Network to help improve mental health

Passengers travelling across Manchester’s tram network were in for a surprise today (Friday 9 October) as 6,000 free books were given away on the city’s trams by Read Manchester to mark World Mental Health which falls on Saturday.

The free book giveaway in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) saw thousands of free reads placed on tram seats at the crack of dawn this morning – a book on every seat – and sent on their way from tram depots right across the tram network, ready to be picked up by passengers of all ages.

The good read giveaway is part of Read Manchester’s Take 10 to Read campaign which was first launched by Read Manchester in 2018 and is now promoted by the National Literacy Trust across the UK – and also this year worldwide through a world record attempt.

The campaign highlights the wellbeing benefits of reading, and each year encourages people of all ages to spend 10 minutes reading on and around World Mental Health Day (10 October). to help improve their mental health.

It complements wider work around the city by Read Manchester to encourage reading for enjoyment and help people discover the positive impact reading can have on learning, wellbeing and everyday life.

This year’s Take Ten to Read campaign, taking place during the National Year of Reading 2026, calls on people to explore their hobbies and interests through reading, with a simple message: whatever you’re into, take 10 and read into it. 

Councillor Shazia Butt, Executive Member for Culture, Libraries and Leisure, Manchester City Council, said:

“Good mental health is important for everyone whatever your age and escaping into the world of a book and reading – even just for ten minutes a day – is something that research shows can make a positive difference to how people feel. 

“Together with our partners at the National Literacy Trust we’ve been helping Mancunians and others find a love of books and reading for ten years now through Read Manchester, with over half a million books given away so far, and we hope passengers of all ages on the trams today enjoy our latest book giveaway and pick up a book and have a good read on us!”

Today’s big book giveaway will see a free book placed on every tram seat across the network for passengers to discover, have a read, and either take home or leave it for someone else to pick up and enjoy.

Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at TfGM, said:

“A book can give someone the chance to switch off, escape into another world, learn something new, or simply enjoy a few moments to themselves.

“We are proud to work with Manchester City Council, Read Manchester and the National Literacy Trust, to bring thousands of free books to people as they travel on the Bee Network – and I hope that moment of surprise and enjoyment has really made someone’s day.”

In addition to the 6,000 books being left on trams, Greater Manchester Libraries also joined in by giving away a further 2,000 free books at bus interchanges across the wider city region, Library services out and about for the day talking to people about the services they provide for readers of all ages, as well as handing out free books to passengers.

Sam Elliott, Head of Bolton Library & Museum Services and chair of the Greater Manchester Libraries partnership, said:

“Reading has the power to connect people, open doors and strengthen communities. Greater Manchester’s libraries are delighted to be joining forces with TfGM, Read Manchester and the National Literacy Trust during the National Year of Reading to bring books and reading opportunities into the places people use every day and help more residents discover that just ten minutes of reading can make a real difference.”

New research from the National Literacy Trust explores the relationship between children and young people’s reading habits and wellbeing. The report, published today, finds that children and young people who enjoy reading, read daily and feel confident in their reading reported higher levels of wellbeing than their peers who are less engaged with reading (see note 1 below).

The benefits of reading for pleasure at any age are also highlighted in a recent research review from the University of Cambridge and The Queens Reading Room. It shows a positive link between reading engagement and improved brain and mental health, better cognitive performance, and reduced risk of cognitive decline (see note 2 below).

Jill Connolly, Senior Project Manager at the National Literacy Trust said:

“Our Take 10 to Read campaign calls on everyone in Manchester to take 10 minutes to read on and around World Mental Health Day and discover how it can help you relax, boost your mood and connect with others.”

Travelling on the tram or bus can be a great opportunity to spend time reading something that interests you. Whether it’s a book, comic, match report, magazine article or an audiobook – it all counts. We hope the passengers who found a book on the Bee Network this morning will be inspired to start a reading habit and feel the benefits for their wellbeing.”