More than 250 children from Twerton Infant School, St Michael’s Junior Church School and St Martin’s Garden Primary School have taken part in storytelling sessions organised by SouthGate Bath.
The events, aimed at helping children fall in love with reading, saw the youngsters hear stories from a professional storyteller, Grethe Mangala Jensen, and were part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative sponsored by SouthGate Bath’s co-owner British Land and run-in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.
During the literary-focussed events, pupils from the three local schools also learnt how to choose books they will enjoy and were able to take home a book of their choice.
British Land and the National Literacy Trust are celebrating 11 years in partnership this year.
Since the programme launched in Bath, it has supported more than 2,100 school children and seen over 6,400 books donated across the city.
Research by the National Literacy Trust has shown that owning a book means children are more likely to say they enjoy reading and are more inclined to read in their free time.
However, almost 6% of children in the UK do not own a book, which equates to almost 415,000 children across the country.
With reading for enjoyment proven to have a positive effect on children’s reading skill, as well as their wellbeing and mental health, the Young Readers Programme initiative aims to give support and help with the development of children in underprivileged areas by giving them access to books.
Guy Henderson, centre director at SouthGate Bath said: “Supporting local children and their families is so important to us and the Young Readers Programme is an integral part of this.
“We look forward to this brilliant initiative every year and have loved seeing children from across our community enjoy their storytelling sessions.”
Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “Reading for enjoyment is proven to support mental wellbeing, literacy skills, and future success.
“Encouraging children to enjoy reading from a young age can have a measurable impact on the rest of their lives.
“But the sad reality is that 6% of children across the country don’t have their own book to read at home, and many don’t find reading enjoyable.
“Through the Young Readers Programme and the support of British Land, we are able to help so many more children have fun whilst reading outside the classroom, give them access to inspiring books and access to many benefits that they may otherwise be missing out on.”