WEA Book Discussion Scheme Charitable Trust
Help us create a fairer, kinder, happier NZ through promoting book groups as places where all people can connect, learn, and be inspired.
Canterbury
About BDS
Book Discussion Scheme (BDS) is a registered charitable trust and non-profit serving New Zealand book groups and clubs since 1973. We are a member ofthe FWEA which promotes accessible learning opportunities for all people at all stages of life.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a fairer, kinder, happier New Zealand through promoting book groups as places where people can connect, learn, be inspired, and grow together. We believe that 'Open Books Open Minds' and that literature has the power to act as gateway to compassion, hope, love, understanding, epiphany and empowerment. Book groups are unique in that they take reading from a personal pastime to a shared experience that encourages real-world action and positive change.
How Funds Will be Used
We run a sustainable organisational model where our membership fees cover most of the operational costs of running BDS, however if you would like to make a donation in support of our mission funds will be used to:
* Purchase new books for the catalogue
* Improve the functionality and accessibility of our website for both members and prospective members
* Support the BDS Social Agenda: Variations of our programme provided at a reduced cost for groups focused on diversity and community — Prison groups, library groups, school groups, men-only groups, rural groups, Māori groups, and ESOL/Intermediate English groups for migrants.
More about us
Promoting the personal and societal benefits of book groups for a fairer, kinder, happier New Zealand since 1973.
Other page links
Latest update
Men's Prison Book Group Offers Safe Space to Express Emotions 16 May 2023
When the book group at Tongariro Men's Prison selected "The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes" as one of their reads this year, the team at BDS weren't sure how it would be received. The story centres on single mum 'Rabbit' Hayes, who is coming to the end of her innings...prematurely. Gathered at the hospice in her final days are her friends and family, recalling and celebrating the life she has led to the full.
Led by two volunteers, the group rated the book 4.5 stars out of five and had this to say:
"Very powerful and moving read. Many tears shed. It was good for the men to speak and share their emotions."
We think this highlights two key benefits of book group: connecting unlikely readers to books they might not otherwise have chosen, and opening hearts and minds through the experience of shared reading. Your donations help us deliver these benefits (and more) to book groups in prisons around NZ — thank you!
If you'd like to learn more about volunteering with us to deliver a prison book group or our other social agenda groups, please visit www.bds.org.nz/about/social-agenda or contact us for more information.
Who's involved?
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