We celebrated our fantastic team of Literacy Champions during Volunteers’ Week, which took place from 3 - 9 June, marking the amazing contributions that volunteers make to communities across the UK.
In Manchester our volunteers inspire the people around them to engage with reading, writing, speaking and listening, through organising book hunts, hosting storytelling sessions and setting up little libraries. Without them, we couldn’t do the work we do to raise literacy levels and change the life stories of children, young people and adults across the city.
An event to say thank you
On Saturday 8 June, Literacy Champions came together for a celebration event at Burnage Library, where we thanked them for all the hours and effort they commit to Read Manchester.
Joined by their families, the Literacy Champions talked about what they have been up to in their local communities, their plans for the future, and what they have enjoyed most about the role so far.
Nicola said: “I plan on connecting more families with useful resources to support their child’s development. I also want to reach more families with new babies to share the importance of shared reading.”
Michaela said: “I want to use my Literacy Champion role in my other volunteer roles to get more books and resources out there.”
Amber said: “I love the community and shared values of all the members. And getting to know the stories of amazing families.”
The Read Manchester team also shared plans for the coming months that Literacy Champions will be able to get involved in.
Sharing Rachel’s story
To mark Volunteers’ Week, one of our brilliant Literacy Champions Rachel wrote a blog about her experiences as a Read Manchester volunteer.
Rachel shared what motivated her to become a Literacy Champion and how she is helping her local community to access books and fall in love with reading.
Rachel has set up little libraries at her local doctor’s surgery, a barber shop and most recently at Wythenshawe Hospital.
Become a Literacy Champion
We are always looking for more volunteers who are passionate about supporting their local communities to engage with literacy. If you are interested in becoming a Literacy Champion please visit our Volunteer page for more information, or email literacy.champions@literacytrust.org.uk.