We work with national, local and community partners to empower Scotland's children and young people with the literacy skills they need to grow, learn and thrive. Over the last 20 years, we have worked with Scottish early years settings, schools, communities and businesses to ignite a love of storytelling and reading across the country through events and initiatives.
Together, we are changing life stories in Scotland
-
We work alongside the community in Dundee
In 2022, we launched our first Scottish Literacy Hub in Dundee where we deliver early years projects to empower families with young children with the tips, skills and the confidence they need to grow a love of reading from their little one's earliest moments. Our Talk and Play Together programme focuses on literacy and wellbeing, helping parents to nurture their child’s communication through every day activities.
-
Together, we transform primary school libraries
More broadly across the country, in response to research indicating that 1 in 4 (25%) primary schools in Scotland does not have a library, we have transformed library spaces in 100 Scottish primary schools through our Libraries for Primaries campaign, which we co-founded with Penguin Books.
-
The power of book choice
Our book gifting initiatives ignite a love of reading - that’s why our Young Readers Programme is so important. Since 2022, as a result of this programme, thousands of children across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Fife have had the opportunity to choose free books that they can take home and keep. These are often the first books they have ever owned. This has only been possible through partnership with Amazon, British Land, Turner and Townsend and WHSmith and the support of critical delivery partner Glasgow Life.
-
Our Literacy Champions provide valued local voices
Our Literacy Champion volunteers are trusted voices in their community who deliver literacy-based activities and offer support to families in Dundee. It's a team effort as partners such as Northwood Trust, Beano and Penguin Random House share resources and expertise which enables our volunteers to engage families from harder to reach communities.
Unlocking the power of reading at Granton Primary School
Discover what happened at Granton Primary School in Edinburgh when together with the support of the Chase Rewarding Futures School Library Programme and our Libraries for Primaries campaign, we opened their first school library.
What does the research say?
Our latest research shows that just 3 in 10 children and young people in Scotland say they enjoy reading in their free time and only 1 in 6 read daily.
This means that vast numbers of children and young people in Scotland are missing out on the vital benefits reading can bring, including enhanced reading skills, wellbeing, empathy and confidence, as well as additional gains outlined in our report for supporting relaxation, learning and creativity.
"Literacy is extremely important in the early years"
Meet Lesley, an experienced Dundee-based childminder who took part in our Early Words Together training. Lesley shares how the support from the National Literacy Trust in Dundee helped her to shape her day-to-day childminding activities to nurture a love of literacy and reading.
Mischievous launch of the National Year of Reading in Scotland
In January 2026, with a liberal sprinkling of mischief and mayhem, we launched the National Year of Reading in Scotland.
Find out what happened when Beano’s Directors of Mischief (Mike Stirling) and Mayhem (Craig Graham) worked with local pupils from Granton Primary School and The Queen herself to create a mischievous National Year of Reading comic strip.
How to get involved
Are you a local organisation, passionate about your community?
Our work wouldn't be possible without our incredible partner organisations. If you work for an organisation in Scotland and are interested in supporting us, we'd love to hear from you.
Please get in touch via email: susan.calcluth@literacytrust.org.uk
Become a Literacy Champion volunteer
From teachers and youth leaders to sports coaches and bus drivers, our incredible Literacy Champions are self-led volunteers who are passionate about making a difference to literacy in their community or organisation.
Find out how you can make a difference and sign up >
Schools and settings - keep up-to-date
We'd love to stay in touch. Sign up to our Training and Resources newsletter to receive regular emails which share our latest classroom resources and training opportunities straight to your inbox. You might also like to subscribe to our monthly newsletter and hear more about the National Literacy Trust, our latest research and our news.
National Literacy Trust in communities
Discover how our placed-based approach across the UK has real impact in communities.
