New book-gifting campaign launched to get children across Manchester reading this Christmas
THE READ MANCHESTER SCHEME WILL SEE BOOKS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES
A fundraising campaign to support a new book-gifting campaign has been launched in the run-up to Christmas.
The Manchester Central Library Development Trust is raising funds to help the Read Manchester initiative provide books and other educational resources directly to families across the city.
Since the first lockdown started in March, Read Manchester has already gifted more than 20,000 books, early years magazines, stationery packs and Creative Care Kits to help keep children reading. Organisations who have benefited included play schemes, foodbanks, community groups, summer schools, SureStart Centres and youth groups, plus the families of children with special educational needs, who received an activity pack and craft materials.
The scheme is part of the city’s effort to reduce barriers to reading for the city’s children, after a National Literacy Trust survey in July 2020 found that nearly
60 per cent of children used reading to help them feel better and 50 per cent to help them envisage a better future. Research from the first lockdown showed that access to books had a direct impact on reading behaviour. Children and young people who did not have their own books, or access to books they liked, read less frequently than before the first lockdown.
The scheme has been supported by ATG Access, whose staff raised £ 3,564 for Read Manchester’s Book Gifting initiative by completing the 3 Peaks Challenge in September, with a similar sum also donated to the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s I Love MCR Charity.
Stephen Sorrell, Chair of Manchester Central Library Development Trust, said:
“We are delighted to support the book gifting initiative at this critical time for children and their learning. We are extremely grateful for all donations received so far, and we welcome future support.”
Gavin Hepburn, Managing Director of ATG Access, said: “We strongly believe that businesses should take a leading role in helping good, local causes. Every child deserves the right to read, learn and explore life, no matter what their start or circumstances. The impact of the recent Covid-19 pandemic will only escalate this number unless there is a concerted action from all areas, including business in the local community.”
Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Skills, Culture and Leisure, Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE, said: “Helping children to love reading is crucial to developing their literacy skills, well-being and life chances. Despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic, our libraries team are doing fantastic work in continuing to provide access to our fantastic collection of books and educational resources.”
“This fundraising effort by the Central Library Development Trust will allow Read Manchester to get additional books and resources into the hands of children across the city. Reading is the foundation for success later in life, enabling children to succeed at school, helping them develop broader skills and leading to healthier, happier lives.”
To support the campaign, go to www.justgiving.com/campaign/ mancbookgifting