All of Verbal’s programmes are underpinned by rigorous, evidence-based research. Our multidisciplinary research team includes experts in psychology and literature. The team works hard to ensure that every programme draws on the most up-to-date research and is tailored to meet the needs of participants.

Research conducted by Verbal has demonstrated the positive impact that our programmes can have for participants. This echoes leading international research which has shown the power of literature, and in particular taking part in shared reading, to promote empathy, improve mental health and wellbeing, reduce isolation, build community bonds and enable emotional expression. Verbal’s work builds on, and in turns helps to inform, cutting edge research on the holistic benefits of the arts for a wide range of groups. Through research Verbal works to maximise the efficacy of its programmes, ensure that our work is informed by the most recent international research in the field, and continue to adapt our approach in response to our own research findings and relevant work elsewhere.

All of our programmes have a clear set of aims and objectives:

• To promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing across all ages.
• To challenge the assumptions and prejudices of everyday life that exist and cause conflict between different and diverse communities
• To create a safe and nurturing environment to promote wellbeing
• To shine a light on the “unseen” life circumstances of the vulnerable and marginalised
• To encourage reconsideration of what is 'taken for granted'
• To “give voice” to new and better ways to improve quality of life.