Queen Camilla has donated a collection of personally selected books to a homelessness charity, with residents and campaigners praising reading as a powerful tool in helping people rebuild their lives.
The Queen visited a St Mungo’s accommodation service in south London on Wednesday, where she unveiled a specially supplied bookshelf containing 20 titles chosen through her charity, The Queen’s Reading Room.
Among the books selected were Wuthering Heights, The Queen’s Necklace and I Capture the Castle, all chosen to encourage a love of reading among people experiencing homelessness.
During the visit, Camilla met residents, support workers and volunteers before placing the books on the shelf as part of a partnership between The Queen’s Reading Room and St Mungo’s.
Speaking to residents, the Queen described reading as “a wonderful way of escapism” that can transport people beyond the difficulties of everyday life.
Television presenter Lorraine Kelly, who attended the engagement as a supporter of St Mungo’s, said reading and homelessness support were causes that naturally complemented one another.
“I love reading, and this initiative is so fantastic,” she said.
“To combine two things I’m very passionate about, which is helping people who are homeless and getting people reading, the two just marry together so well.”
Kelly praised the Queen’s commitment to the initiative, adding: “She’s genuinely passionate about it, she genuinely cares and knows her stuff.”
The visit highlighted growing recognition of the role books can play in supporting mental wellbeing, recovery and education among vulnerable groups.
Support worker Jessie Kaur, who has worked for St Mungo’s for seven years, said reading often forms part of residents’ recovery journeys.
“Books really help clients in their recovery journey from homelessness. It’s a form of escapism, of healing from traumas they may have experienced,” she said.
“It provides the clients with a safe space.”
She added that access to books can also improve literacy and confidence among residents, making the support from The Queen’s Reading Room particularly valuable.
The Queen’s Reading Room was launched by Camilla to promote the benefits of reading and literature. Since becoming Queen, she has continued to champion literacy projects and reading initiatives both in the UK and internationally.
During the visit, Camilla was presented with a radish grown in the shelter’s garden and a self-published book on spirituality written by one of the residents.
St Mungo’s currently operates 138 services across England and Wales, supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The south London accommodation visited by the Queen houses 38 residents.
The engagement formed part of the Queen’s continuing work to highlight the positive impact reading can have on wellbeing, education and social inclusion.
