đź“° Adult Literacy News Summary
Charity receives record number of childrens books donations
25-Apr-2026 - UK
A charity has received more than 1,000 donated children’s books after a successful public campaign. The campaign was run by Oxford-based PR agency Fortitude Communications, which supported Bicester literacy charity Assisted Reading for Children (ARCh) in its search for good-quality softback books to use in primary schools. Books were donated by business owners, schools, and authors during National Storytelling Week
Read more7 things I wish people knew about dyslexia
24-Apr-2026 - UK
A new animated film has been developed to challenge negative attitudes and misconceptions about dyslexia, after research found that many children feel “hopeless” because of how the learning difference is often described. The charity Made By Dyslexia, which is behind the animation, surveyed 5,000 dyslexic adults and young people, along with their parents and teachers, including 2,000 participants from the UK.
Read moreThe Power of Reading: An inspirational reader story
24-Apr-2026 - UK
This story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to learn, and that with the right support, lives can be transformed. David had a tough start in life with health problems keeping him out of school so much, he never learned to read properly. Fortunately, his father knew how much he wanted to improve and was determined to find him the help he needed. He turned to Read Easy when he realised its one-to-one coaching sessions would be perfect for his son
Read moreWorthing football club supports children reading campaign
21-Apr-2026 - UK
A powerful new campaign is using the power of sport to champion childhood literacy. Worthing Football Club partnered with the BeSeenReading scheme to launch a two-day event promoting the importance of reading to young people and families. The initiative is led by Arundel-based charity Children Reading for Life and aims to make reading a "visible, accessible and aspirational" part of daily life.
Read moreFree monthly book parcels for families to boost literacy and wellbeing for children in crisis
21-Apr-2026 - UK
Hull-based charity Sailors’ Children’s Society has launched two national BookTrust programmes, Story Explorers and Letterbox Club, to support younger children on its scheme, helping to build literacy, confidence, and emotional wellbeing. The programmes will provide free monthly book parcels to families, bringing reading into the home in a fun, engaging, and accessible way.
Read moreThe Reading Agency Launches Prison Reading Campaign
17-Apr-2026 - UK
The Reading Agency today announces a landmark UK prison reading campaign, made possible with the generous support of The Henry Smith Foundation during the government-backed National Year of Reading. Marking the 20th anniversary of its flagship Quick Reads programme, The Reading Agency will work in collaboration with prison partners to deliver 480,000 books into prisons across the UK, ensuring that every person in prison has access to high-quality, accessible reading
Read moreSchool tackles 'daunting' Covid reading setback
17-Apr-2026 - UK
A school which saw a "daunting" 35% drop in pupils' reading skills following the Covid-19 pandemic says it is making significant progress in helping its youngsters catch up. Assessments at the beginning of the academic year in September 2023 found almost a quarter of children at Netherhall School in Maryport, Cumbria, had below average or very low reading skills.
Read moreFree books for World Book Night at Devon libraries
17-Apr-2026 - UK
World Book Night, marked annually on April 23, aims to encourage adults to rediscover reading for pleasure and take part in the Reading Hour between 7 and 8pm. The initiative, led in partnership with The Reading Agency, will see community members receive copies of The Last Bench by Carmel Harrington on April 23.
Read moreEdinburgh programme uses football to improve literacy skills
15-Apr-2026 - UK
An Edinburgh football-themed learning course is helping adults improve their literacy and numeracy skills. The 10-week programme, titled Back of the Net, uses the sport to engage participants in a relaxed environment while boosting their reading, writing, communication, and digital skills.
Read moreOne book in three weeks? At some universities that would be a triumph
14-Apr-2026 - UK
At the London Book Fair earlier this month, Joanna Prior, chief executive of Pan Macmillan and chair of the National Literacy Trust, warned that the decline in reading poses a greater threat to the publishing industry than artificial intelligence (AI) ever could. She cited University of Oxford professor Jonathan Bate’s observation that university students who once read three books a week now struggle to finish one in three weeks.
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