Service description:
Booktrust has a vision of a society where nobody misses out on the life-changing benefits that reading can bring.
We recognise that to engage people with reading we need to adopt multi-stranded approaches - that might include reading aloud, writing about reading experiences, providing other learning resources - in order to effect social change.
Booktrust priorities are working with:
•Children - because they present the greatest opportunity to change lives
•Families - because this is the unit for the greatest impact.
Why does Booktrust believe books and reading changes lives?
•Books can bring lasting benefits, help bond families and transform lives
•Reading is one of the most effective means of promoting social mobility
•Books and reading can increase life chances through:
•Increased educational outcomes
•Increased employment opportunities
•Enhanced social mobility/aspiration
•Books and reading improve social and emotional wellbeing through:
•Improved family attachment and bonding
•Increased participation in society
•Improved levels of happiness and confidence
•Access to books and the ability to read should be a fundamental right for all
•Books are for everyone regardless of means
Our work matters
Through our programmes we aim to create a society of people who are motivated to read and who see themselves as readers whatever level that might be. We will start at the earliest possible age as we believe children who have an early introduction to books benefit in many ways; educationally, socially, culturally and emotionally. Encouraging parents to share stories, books and rhymes in the early years can help start an introduction into a wide tapestry of knowledge and culture, which can help children understand who they are and the place they have in the world. There is nowhere better than stories for children to take risks, test their courage, face their fears and to indulge their humour. It is a way of growing up in a safe environment, testing out personal feelings and responses through others' experiences.
The Bookstart programme is proven to help children develop language and literacy skills for starting school, while the Letterbox Club has helped to improve the reading and number skills for many children in care. Through our programmes, prizes and book recommendations we're there for children and adult readers alike.
Programmes for school, library and home
Booktrust has created and administered a range of projects and campaigns designed to help people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy reading and writing.