📰 Adult Literacy News Summary
Chard children entitled to free books due to partnership
29-Mar-2026 - UK
Chard Community Hub, The Coreus Foundation, Holyrood Academy, and all Chard Primary Schools have worked together to bring to life the dream of a free monthly reading book for every baby born in Chard. Starting now, any baby born in Chard can register to have a book delivered completely free, every month for a year, through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Read moreLearn-to-read initiative boosted by Midsomer Norton charity donation
28-Mar-2026 - UK
Two new Read Easy Bath readers received certificates on completing their reading journey. Their work has recently been supported with a £2,500 donation from the Midsomer Norton-based Sperring Charity. Since 1990, the Sperring Charity has supported hundreds of local people in Midsomer Norton and surrounding areas with grants ranging from £50 to £5,000.
Read moreInterview with Tony Maudsley
28-Mar-2026 - UK
Liverpool born Tony has starred in films such as Harry Potter and Sleepy Hollow and most recently has been in hit TV series Benidorm playing hotpants-wearing hair stylist Kenneth. Here he talks about his role as JJ and the importance of using drama to highlight issues such as adult literacy. “For people with literacy problems, the biggest initial fear they have is facing the world and talking about it. Society needs to make that a whole lot easier for them.”
Read moreHow Let's Talk Reading is changing childhoods for the better
26-Mar-2026 - UK
A volunteer‑led Ipswich project is helping families build reading habits from babyhood to adulthood, proving how stories can strengthen literacy and confidence across the community. Low literacy affects many households across Ipswich – and especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Some children can read at a basic level but lack the confidence or interest to read for pleasure.
Read moreEarly Years in Schools: Get writing
26-Mar-2026 - UK
How purposeful writing is strengthening language and literacy and creating confident, happy learners in Reception at a Great Yarmouth primary school. ‘All aboard. Train departing from platform 3 at 10.25am. Please have your tickets ready.’ There is a rush at the ticket office as children at Ormiston Herman Academy eagerly collect their tickets from the station master. Carefully ‘writing’ their names before boarding the train to Great Yarmouth, they step into the world of make believe.
Read moreCamilla's love of books explored in BBC documentary
26-Mar-2026 - UK
Queen Camilla is to appear in a BBC documentary about the life-changing power of books. The Queen will reflect on the childhood experiences that sparked her passion for reading and reflect on the comfort she still finds in books. In what programme-makers describe as a "special and intimate contribution", Queen Camilla will talk about her father Major Bruce Shand's love of the written word and the strength it gave him when he was held in a German prisoner-of-war camp during World War Two. He went on to share his passion for reading with his daughter.
Read moreSigourney Weaver, Stanley Tucci and other star-studded guests join King Charles and Queen Camilla for literary reception
25-Mar-2026 - UK
The Queen celebrated unsung reading heroes at a literary reception with stars as she began filming for a new documentary on the 'life-transforming power of books'. Camilla was joined by King Charles and Duchess of Gloucester to meet finalists of The Queen's Reading Room Medal, at Clarence House, London. The medal recognises those who have promoted books and literature across communities in the UK.
Read moreRenfrewshire mobile library service reached more than 10,000 people
24-Mar-2026 - UK
Renfrewshire’s mobile library service has reached thousands of people as the scale of its outreach was revealed during an evaluation exercise. The Skoobmobile, which promotes a love of reading across communities, has been running in the local authority for more than a decade. Analysis has shown the impact the bus has had, confirming it engaged with more than 10,000 children and 2000 adults throughout 2024 and 2025.
Read moreNew work and education programmes launched in Essex
24-Mar-2026 - UK
Essex County Council has announced a £1.7 million investment in education and employment support which will fund three new programmes aimed at people of all ages. The schemes include an Essex Job Guarantee Scheme for young people, the expansion of speech and language hubs for children and support to boost adult literacy to improve employment prospects.
Read moreRead Easy Bath group marks two graduations and £2,500 donation
23-Mar-2026 - UK
A Bath literacy group is celebrating after helping two adults complete their reading journey, while also receiving a £2,500 donation to support its work. Read Easy Bath recently marked the achievements of two new readers, Roger and Gary, and was also boosted by a generous contribution from the Sperring Charity, which is based in Midsomer Norton.
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