Matthew’s Talks at Bookbanks
Bookbanks – the charity that brings books to food banks – is proud to announce a new programme of relaxed and inclusive author events inside UK food banks.
The first event, on 11 March 2025, will be a talk by Bookbanks ambassador Andrew O’Hagan, at St Jude & St Paul’s food bank, Newington Green, London. Andrew will read from his recent novel, Caledonian Road. He says:
“I’m thrilled to be giving one of the inaugural Matthew’s Talks for Bookbanks. We often think of reading as a solitary pleasure, but I firmly believe that books can also bring people together and I hope that this new series of events will become a much-needed means of doing just that, for people who could use a little more support.”
Named in memory of Matthew McFadden, and supported by his family and friends, these events will now take place quarterly, across the food banks with which Bookbanks partners.
This March, the charity’s other sites in London and Norfolk will also host Matthew’s Talks with the authors Hugh Aldersey-Williams and Helen Whitaker - both current volunteers with the charity and familiar faces to its guests. They will read from their books as well as talking to, answering questions from, and exchanging ideas with food bank guests.
Copies of each author’s book will be displayed and distributed for free at the Bookbanks stalls in the weeks leading up to each event - allowing guests to own and read it before meeting the author, as well as having their copy signed on the day.
About Matthew
Matthew McFadden was born in Glasgow on 17th January, 1982. He spent his childhood in Scotland, then moved to London aged ten, where he stayed for the rest of his life.
During his years at school and university he developed close friendships, endearing himself to others through his openness and honesty, his humour, and his ability to engage intelligently with anyone on any topic. He was compassionate and thoughtful, fiercely protective of his friends and family, and he always stood up for those facing social injustices.
Matthew loved reading, devouring everything from Terry Pratchett's wackiest novels to multi-volume historical tomes, and during the last two years of his life he had begun to experiment with writing short stories.
His family know that Matthew would have loved the idea of Bookbanks and that, perhaps if time had been kinder to him, he would have been able to engage with the project in person, as a published author.
Bookbanks breaks cycles of poverty by sharing stories and writing fairer futures.
Over 3% of UK individuals are using food banks. Meanwhile more than 1 in 12 UK children do not own a single book of their own, and a DWP study shows that being read to at the age of 5 is “an important protective factor against poverty at the age of 30.”
Bookbanks will distribute 25 copies of the author’s book to food bank guests at each Matthew’s Talks event, to enable and increase book ownership.
Reading passages aloud will increase accessibility, engaging more food bank guests.
Conversations and questions during events will help to build literacy and close reading skills.
The experience of meeting an author will inspire and encourage readers.
To date, over 4,000 books have been distributed to communities at Bookbanks sites in Newington Green and Hammersmith & Fulham in London, and at Wymondham and Norwich in Norfolk.
The charity has further nationwide expansion plans for 2025, which will enable it to partner with more food banks and reach more communities throughout the UK.
100% of Bookbanks guests surveyed agreed with: “This bookbank has helped me to feel more positive about the future.”
What impact will Matthew’s Talks have?
Donating in Matthew’s name
It costs around £300 to run each Matthew’s Talks event.
As Bookbanks grows to partner with more food banks across the UK, Matthew’s Talks will reach more people, but the annual costs will grow too.
You can help to make this happen, by making a one-off or regular donation: