A THOUGHTFUL arts charity will be giving away a new book at Reading Central Library this month,

Hidden Stories addresses the loneliness and stigma of living with an invisible health condition.

The charity, Root Experience, is publishing a book about what it's like to live with an invisible condition – which it's donating to local communities in Reading and across the southeast.

Hidden Stories is a powerful, playfully-illustrated graphic novel based on the everyday experiences of people living with conditions whose symptoms aren't easily identifiable to others, from anxiety to autism, diabetes and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Millions of people worldwide are affected by these conditions daily, yet often they also face being isolated, misunderstood or stigmatised by society.

Many are therefore discouraged from opening up and even seeking the support they need for fear of being judged.

With Hidden Stories, the Brighton-based charity aims to inspire more people to speak out about their lives, while also encouraging others to listen compassionately.

Hidden Stories On Tour will be at Reading Central Library on Saturday, May 11, between 10am and 3pm.

Visitors will be able to collect free copies of the book, meet some of the contributors, join in conversations and find out more about the project.

There will also be a photography exhibition and interactive games that guide self-exploration.

Organisations (such as wellbeing centres, GP surgeries, universities, workplaces and community groups) can contact Root Experience (rachel@rootexperience.org) to secure a number of copies.

A free digital version will be available to download at www.hiddenstories.co.uk.

To follow Hidden Stories on Twitter visit @rootexperience using the hashtags #HiddenStories and #RewriteNormal.