The North East
The National Literacy Trust in the North East works with the community to empower children and families with the literacy skills needed to get the most out of life.
We work with local organisations and businesses to strengthen the culture of reading, writing, speaking and listening across the region and engage businesses to play an important role in addressing the literacy challenge.
Our campaign work is focused in the four main areas with the highest levels of deprivation and lowest levels of literacy: Newcastle, Gateshead, Stockton and Redcar. We provide free books, events, and activities for primary school aged children, and cater to families with little ones aged 0-5 years old through our flagship early years programmes, First Words Together and Early Words Together which are part of our newly launched Early Words Matter campaign.
Keep up to date with our latest activity by following our Facebook page
Or get in touch with us at northeast@literacytrust.org.uk
Come along to Stadium of Stories!
Come along to Gateshead International Stadium on Friday 16 August between 11am and 2pm for a free day of exciting activities for the whole family! We'll also be joined by an award-winning local author.
Meet Zahra, North East Literacy Champion
To mark National Volunteers’ Week from 3 – 9 June, we spoke with North East Literacy Champion Zahra about her experience of supporting refugee families with language and literacy skills.
Volunteer with us
Would you like to make a difference in your local area?
Sign up as a volunteer Literacy Champion and, if you live in the North East, you'll have the chance to join our fantastic team of supported volunteers! Find out more about becoming a Literacy Champion and sign up with the link below.
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We have lots of useful tips, guidance and free activities for parents, to help you support your child's literacy development as they grow.Learn more
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Read North East supports schools to make literacy improvement a priority and encourage pupils to read for pleasure.Learn more
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We rely on the generous support of individuals, schools, communities and businesses to help us continue our vital work in the North East.Learn more
Success stories
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Our Read North East campaign launched its new Redcar Early Years Partnership today with a storytelling event for children.Learn more about Our Read North East campaign launches new Redcar Early Years Partnership with storytelling event for local nurseries.
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We teamed up with Penguin Random House to host an exclusive schools event with the world-famous Diary of Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney, as part of our Read North East campaign.Learn more about Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney visits Newcastle for an exclusive Read North East event.
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Children from Southwick Primary School in Sunderland enjoyed a day of ‘chat, play, read’ activities themed around Eric Hill’s Spot.Learn more about Southwick Primary School’s grand day out with Spot.