Connecting Stories

Connecting Stories is transforming children's reading and writing in disadvantaged communities.

Our Connecting Stories campaign is an Arts Council England-funded project to address the literacy attainment gap across 14 of our hub areas and increase children and young people’s access to literary experiences and books in communities most in need of support.

Launched in December 2020 in partnership with local communities, Connecting Stories has so far reached almost 700,000 people with a programme of exciting and inspirational events, including virtual author visits, storytelling sessions, workshops, reading and writing for pleasure activities, creative writing competitions, book donations, and other fun activities for families to enjoy.

Our Connecting Stories campaign has partnered with 43 book publishers and 158 authors, illustrators, storytellers and creatives, including celebrated children’s writers Cressida Cowell, Matt Haig and Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho - and gifted over 160,000 books donated by publishers.

It has also mobilised over 600 people who live and work in these priority communities to become Literacy Champions – volunteers who have so far contributed more than 125,000 hours to support literacy in their neighbourhoods. The scale and success of Connecting Stories would not have been possible without them.

How can you partner with us across local communities?

The National Literacy Trust has a long-term commitment to working alongside our priority areas. We are open to new partners and investors who want to help make a difference in our communities. Our teams also work outside our Hubs through our consultancy offer and as delivery experts on funded projects.

For more information about how you can support our work, to commission us or just to find out more about our approach, please contact Jason.vit@literacytrust.org.uk.