The idea is to develop reading skills and creative writing via community-driven activities and campaigns taking place during the next 12 months.
Entitled Connecting Stories, the initiative is run by the National Literacy Trust with funding from Arts Council England.
The activities will aim to increase children’s access to literary experiences and books in those communities most in need of support. A key focus is to help improve attitudes and behaviours towards reading for pleasure.
It is being targeted at the NLT’s 14 Literacy Hubs, an initiative that brings together local partners to tackle issues in communities where low levels of literacy are having a serious impact on people’s lives.
The Literacy Hubs are in Bradford, Birmingham, Doncaster, Hastings, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire Coast, Nottingham, Peterborough, Stoke-on-Trent, Swindon, Manchester, North East, Blackpool, and The Black Country.
Activities will include creative writing competitions, author visits, book donations to schools, walk and talk trails and exhibitions. There are plans to grow regular and sustained participation in literary and wider cultural activities. Connecting Stories will also engage and support local and central libraries by promoting library use and membership.
- For more information about the National Literacy Trust, including its wide range of literacy resources for schools and families, visit www.literacytrust.org.uk
- For more about the National Literacy Hubs, visit https://literacytrust.org.uk/communities/