Nearly 300 children from Bath have taken part in storytelling sessions, designed to inspire a love of reading, thanks to the SouthGate shopping centre.
Some of the children who joined the storytelling sessions | Photo © SouthGate Bath
New research reveals that reading for enjoyment among 8 – 18-year-olds in the UK is at its lowest since 2005, almost two decades.
According to the National Literacy Trust, reading for enjoyment is proven to build a child’s confidence as well as make them feel happy and relaxed, yet only two in five children and young people from the South West say they enjoy reading in their free time.
The events were organised by SouthGate Bath as part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative between its co-owner British Land and the National Literacy Trust, that aims to encourage children to read outside of the classroom.
280 children from St Martin’s Garden Primary School, St Michael’s Junior Church School and Roundhill Primary School listened to stories from a professional storyteller and took part in a range of fun activities including a craft and bookmark-making session.
Each child was also given a book of their choice to take home for free.
2024 marks the thirteenth year of British Land’s partnership with the National Literacy Trust, and since the programme launched at SouthGate Bath, it has supported more than 2,690 school children and seen more than 8,000 books donated across Bath.
The Young Readers Programme is especially designed to provide additional support and help with the development of children in underprivileged areas by giving them better access to books.
The National Literacy Trust research revealed that fewer young people who received free school meals (FSMs) said they enjoyed reading when compared to their peers who did not receive free meals.
Guy Henderson, centre director at SouthGate Bath, said: “Supporting our community is at the heart of what we do, so we are incredibly proud of the Young Readers Programme and all the local children and families we have been able to support over many years.
“It’s such a rewarding initiative, hearing how the children are inspired by the stories and activities and seeing just how excited they are to take their own book home.
“This is a programme that really makes a difference and we’re so pleased to be a part of it for another brilliant year.”
Martin Galway, Head of School Programmes at the National Literacy Trust, said: “Reading has an ongoing powerful role in many children’s lives and is crucial in building confidence and improving literacy skills.
“Through the Young Readers Programme, we have partnered with British Land for the last 13 years – giving children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to experience enchanting storytelling events, and to choose books that speak to their interests and passions.
“Our goal is to spark a love of reading that will stay with them forever, which in turn will provide them with essential life skills they need to succeed and reach their own goals.”
