Website encourages 'silver scribblers'

A UK initiative aims to encourage over 60s to start writing. Bookbite launches on 8 February with the distribution of more than 100,000 magazines throughout England and the unveiling of a dedicated website.

The 36-page magazine will be distributed directly into people's homes via older people's charity WRVS and by 175 other organisations including Age Concern, local library services and UK online centres. The magazine will also be available to download from the Bookbite website.

Bookbite aims to encourage those who rarely or never read books to engage more in reading and writing for pleasure, using the internet to access additional resources where and when possible. Bookbite is also encouraging competition entries for 'My Story' and 'The Letter I Wish I had Written' with prizes of up to £500 in book tokens.

The project aims to bring all types of information around reading, writing and getting the most out of going online together in one place with content specially chosen and written in consultation with a range of older people.

A survey of more than 1,100 people aged 60 and over in the UK, revealed a generation of 'silver scribblers' keen to use their growing familiarity with the Internet to publish their own creative writing, join book groups and research their family history and stories.

Independent research was conducted with 1,162 people aged 60 and over across the UK on behalf of Bookbite, a reading and creative writing project for the over 60s run by the reading charity Booktrust.

While younger users turn their back on traditional pastimes such as reading and creative writing in favour of using and playing on the computer; for older users, the Internet is actually helping to re-invigorate a love of books and writing.

Viv Bird, Chief Executive of Booktrust (pictured) commented, "Our survey has shown the extent of the latent talent of a huge number of people aged 60 and over who are keen to experiment with creative writing and discover a wide range of great books. Bookbite provides the forum in which they are able to develop their interests, be it through discovering their family history, setting up a book club or writing short stories. The project has been developed following close consultation with those over 60, so we are confident that the magazine and website will prove interesting and stimulating for all and prove that it is never too late to enjoy new experiences around reading, writing and learning."