📰 Adult Literacy News Summary
Camilla'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.
Read moreAmbitious bid to make Gloucestershire an area of outstanding literacy
22-Mar-2026 - UK
An ambitious project aims to make Gloucestershire an area of outstanding literacy. Four county organisations have joined together to launch the project which coincides with the National Year of Reading. Charities Read With Me, Read for Good and Cheltenham Festivals, are joined by Gloucestershire County Council with the vision of ensuring all children in the county have the opportunity to learn to read well, while giving them the foundations for a lifelong love of reading.
Read moreThe heart of learning: Spotlight on school libraries in the UK and Ireland
20-Mar-2026 - UK
What if the most important room in a school isn’t a classroom, but the one that unlocks every other door to learning? In schools with well-funded and professionally staffed libraries, student achievement and wellbeing rises – yet thousands of young people still attend schools without one.
Read moreBookmark Reading Charity brings £250k literacy programme to 125 London primary schools
20-Mar-2026 - UK
Bookmark Reading Charity is launching its largest-ever Roots to Reading programme this week, distributing 25,000 books to more than 125 primary schools across 14 London boroughs in a package worth more than £250,000.
Read moreStudents improve skills by reading to rescued cats
20-Mar-2026 - UK
Students from a Guernsey secondary school are practising their literacy skills by reading to cats at the island's animal shelter. Lisa Harvey, inclusivity manager at Beaucamps, said: "The reading out loud really helps with their fluency, it also really helps with their social communication and interaction skills."
Read moreTunbridge Wells adult education courses 'being reviewed' after funding cut
20-Mar-2026 - UK
Adult education courses in Tunbridge Wells are now under review after the Government changed focus on learning to "adult skills" and slashed funding. Kent County Council (KCC) is scrutinising the provision of adult education in some areas of the county, which includes Tunbridge Wells.
Read more