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Young Readers Programme

Children enjoying the Young Readers Programme

Many children in disadvantaged areas leave primary school unable to read at the expected level. Through the Young Readers Programme, we support these children to develop their love of books and reading identity through a series of fun events focused on book choice and reading for enjoyment.

About the programme

The Young Readers Programme is:

  • Changing the lives of children living in deprived areas or who are experiencing poverty.

    Last year, 1 in 8 children who received free school meals did not have a book of their own at home. We target schools where the need is highest because we know that a love of reading can change lives.

  • Giving children brand-new books

    Through a series of fun events, we give children the opportunity to choose books that they can take home and keep. These are often the first books they have ever owned.

  • Award-winning

    We have been awarded the Corporate Engagement Gold Award 2023 for best collaborative approach for our partnership with WHSmith and The Young Readers Programme won the Bronze award for best educational programme.

  • No cost to schools

    We work with a variety of fantastic funders to invite schools in areas of high literacy need, putting books into the hands of those who need them most. Our projects often involve volunteers local to the schools we work with, giving back to the local community.

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Over 25 years of the Young Readers Programme!

We celebrated 25 years of the Young Readers Programme in 2022/23. Check out our 25 books for 25 years booklist below, featuring some of our favourites from the last quarter of a century, and keep an eye out for more celebrations throughout the year!

25 books for 25 years booklist

Impact

We know that reading for enjoyment is vital to a child’s development and future success in life. Children and young people’s reading enjoyment is linked with their reading attainment, maths attainment, and mental wellbeing, and could even have an economic impact on wider society. Each year we survey children and teachers to evaluate the impact of the Young Readers Programme.

Book ownership

Last year 1 in 4 children (26.8%) who took part in the Young Readers Programme told us the books they chose were the first books they’ve owned. Two thirds of children (68%) told us that they think reading is more fun after taking part in the programme. One child said that "it made me feel like a better reader when I got to choose my own books and have books at home" and another said that they were "very excited because I don't have any new books at home".

Reading for enjoyment

99% of teachers who took part in the programme last year told us that they noticed positive changes in pupils' reading enjoyment as a result of the Young Readers Programme. One teacher described the Young Readers Programme as "an extremely valuable and engaging programme which has switched many of our children onto reading. Our children are from an area of extreme deprivation. Many did not have a single book at home prior to these events, and were overjoyed to realise that the books were for them to take home and keep.”

Diversity and representation

One child said that the programme made them "feel happy because I found a book that relates to me a lot". 96% of teachers agreed that the books provided as part of of the programme allowed their pupils to see themselves reflected in them, and another teacher said that "the inclusion of a neurodivergent, local author has really made the difference to inspiring Middlesbrough pupils to be proud readers and writers."

Take a look at some more research into the Young Readers Programme.

Reading and book choice resources

Find out more

The Young Readers Programme works with state schools across the UK throughout the academic year. It is a funded programme which works largely by recruiting specific schools in target areas. If you have any questions you’d like to ask us, we’d love to hear from you!

If you are interested in funding the Young Readers Programme or collaborating with us do get in touch.

Please send all enquiries to: youngreaders@literacytrust.org.uk

Thank you to those who fund and support the Young Readers Programme