Leicester's Book Doctor Alison Dunne reveals all about a group of happy inner city readers called the Khushi Group.

Libraries can be thought of as quiet, studious spaces but enter the bright, buzzing environment of Belgrave library and feel the lively atmosphere of a true "community library".

The ceiling is hung with beautiful batik banners made by a community project and on Wednesdays in July, right at the back of the library there's something special going on.

"Khushi" means "happy" in Gujarati and you wouldn't be surprised to learn that the group of smiling women meeting at Belgrave library are called the Khushi Group. The women are busy on a project that fuses poetry and pottery and they're really enjoying it.

The project was the brainchild of Lydia Towsey, arts co-ordinator for Leicester Partnership NHS Trust and artistic director of Leicester's very own poetry festival, the Lyric Lounge.

"I was invited to meet the Khushi group and immediately felt bowled over by their enthusiasm and welcome," says Lydia.

"We designed a project, working with Leicester Libraries which would bring the group into the library to take part in some creative work."

The project takes the seaside as a theme and the group have been working on the poetry side of things with me, Book Doctor and poet. We've been looking at pictures and items associated with the seaside, from deckchairs to donkeys and writing about trips to the beach. Lots of lovely memories have surfaced and some beautiful words have been written.

The second half of each session is the pottery bit and the group are handed over to ceramicist Fiona Meagher. Fiona is very experienced at working with community groups for Fosse Arts & The City Gallery and has worked with Khushi before.

"We're working on making things that look like they might have been found washed up on the beach," Fiona explains while holding a little clay brick decorated with transfers and the words 'Ice Cream Van' made by one of the women in the group, Rhamba.

"We're also making stones decorated with words. It's lovely to be part of a group that meets with the aim of maintaining and spreading happiness. How brilliant is that?"

On the last week of the project the group will be making a film with film-maker Keith Allott using their poems and imagery of the pieces they are making. The film will be shown alongside other poetry-based films at The Lyric Lounge festival which will take place at New Walk Museum from Friday to Sunday.

Lydia says "There'll be so much happening at the Lyric Lounge, with workshops and shows like John Hegley, knitting and poetry, poetry advice and many strange poetic happenings and we're delighted that the Khushi film will feature in the programme."

The Khushi project is just one of the many things that happen in corners of Leicester Libraries. It shows how rewarding it can be to get involved with something creative and how it can make members of the community feel more involved and less isolated.

Shushi, a member of the Khushi group, says "We always feel better when we've got together and coming to the library has made us very happy."