Gloucestershire is embarking on an inspiring new initiative to become a beacon of literacy excellence. Four key organizations have united to launch Gloucestershire’s Year of Reading, a county-wide campaign launched in alignment with the National Year of Reading.
The collaboration includes the charities Read With Me and Read for Good, Cheltenham Festivals, and Gloucestershire County Council. Their shared vision is to ensure every child in Gloucestershire has the chance to learn to read proficiently and develop a lifelong passion for books.
This ambitious project is supported by an extensive network of libraries, family hubs, schools, literacy-focused charities, and local bookshops. Together, they aim to transform how the community engages with reading, providing accessible activities and valuable resources for schools, young people, and families across the county.
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To kick off the campaign, Gloucestershire’s Year of Reading has commissioned one of the largest listening exercises on reading attitudes ever undertaken within the region. The comprehensive report gathered insights from 6,615 children and young people across 58 educational settings, from Reception through post-16 levels.
The results reveal a clear and consistent desire among young people for more reading time in school, greater autonomy in book choices, and calm, supportive environments conducive to reading. Rather than calling for complex interventions, children are asking for the extension of everyday reading conditions that feel unhurried and self-driven.
The findings also show Gloucestershire’s strong existing foundation: children arrive at school with a love of reading, teachers demonstrate deep commitment to fostering literacy, and schools provide crucial access to books and stories. However, the data also highlights challenges. As children grow older, enjoyment of reading tends to decrease, with reading often viewed as a school chore rather than a pleasure. Inequities in access to books, reading spaces, and shared reading experiences become more pronounced.
Linda Cohen, Education and Skills Cabinet Member for Gloucestershire, said, “This campaign builds on our county’s proud reading tradition. We want communities to come together, make time for reading, and help children discover the books they’ll cherish forever. Reading broadens horizons, sparks curiosity, and is proven to boost happiness.”
The project’s goals include increasing the time children spend reading and enhancing the support teachers receive in promoting literacy. While schools play a vital role, the initiative also emphasizes the importance of family engagement, recognizing that families are key to achieving lasting change.
Local children’s author Tweedy the Clown will lead the launch with ‘Stay and Read’ sessions, held after school and at family hubs. These themed book clubs, run by volunteers, encourage children and their families to share the joy of reading together. Additional activities will be hosted in partnership with Gloucestershire Libraries throughout the year.
For support with children’s reading, the charity Read With Me can be contacted at 07791 110906. Adult literacy support is available through Read Easy at 01388 435201.