There is growing scientific evidence that the arts can help speed the recovery of a great many patients, as well as improve their quality of life. It was with this in mind that theatre director Caroline Smith first set up InterAct Reading Service.

Caroline had nursed her sick brother, a psychiatrist, throughout a terminal illness. Although an avid Radio 4 listener, once ill, he much preferred to be read to. Brother and sister got to talking about how the Arts and Health should be more mutually supportive.

Aware of the number of unemployed professional actors in Britain; people whose well-honed communication skills were not being used Caroline wondered whether there was a potential marriage between professional actors and the Health Sector.

Bearing in mind the conversations she had with her brother she wondered whether there was a place for these unique skills in the health sector. To test the theory, she began reading herself on a voluntary basis at her local hospice, the Pembridge Palliative Care Centre.

After several months and having learnt a great deal - not least that no other organisation was offering a reading service - Caroline launched InterAct.

InterAct became a registered charity in January 2000, and we began reading in 6 hospitals in September 2000.

• The following year, in 2001, we won the Best New Charity Award from Charity Awards UK
• In 2003 we received a Tesco's Community Award
• In 2005 we won a GlaxoSmithKline Impact Award
• The charity won yet another Tesco Community Award in 2006

In 2005 Caroline decided to become a Trustee of the charity and Nirjay Mahindru was appointed Chief Executive in September 2005.

Our ultimate aim is to become a recognised part of the rehabilitation of stroke patients, and to improve the quality of life for all patients.