Gloucestershire is set to become a beacon of literacy excellence through an ambitious new project launched in partnership by four key county organisations. In celebration of the National Year of Reading, charities Read With Me, Read for Good, Cheltenham Festivals, and Gloucestershire County Council have united with a shared vision: to ensure every child in Gloucestershire has the opportunity to not only learn to read proficiently but also to develop a lifelong passion for reading.
The initiative, Gloucestershire’s Year of Reading, is backed by a wide-ranging coalition including libraries, family hubs, schools, literacy charities, and local bookshops. Together, they aim to spark a county-wide movement, transforming how reading is perceived and offering accessible activities and resources designed to engage schools, young people, and families alike.
A landmark listening exercise, one of the largest ever conducted in the county, marks the official launch. The survey gathered insights from 6,615 children and young people across 58 educational settings, ranging from Reception to post-16 levels. The findings reveal a consistent message from young readers: they crave more time for reading during school hours, greater freedom to choose their own books, and calm, supportive environments where reading feels relaxed and enjoyable.
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Importantly, children are not asking for elaborate new programs but rather the protection and enhancement of everyday reading experiences that nurture self-directed and unhurried engagement with books.
Gloucestershire already boasts solid literacy foundations. Children begin school with enthusiasm for reading, teachers are dedicated to fostering literacy, and schools provide critical access to books and stories. However, challenges remain. As students grow older, reading enjoyment tends to wane, becoming more associated with academic obligation than pleasure. Additionally, disparities in access to books, comfortable spaces, and shared reading experiences become more evident.
Linda Cohen, Education and Skills Cabinet Member for Gloucestershire, emphasizes the community-wide effort needed: “This campaign builds on Gloucestershire’s proud reading tradition. We want everyone to join us in making reading a joyful, valued part of daily life for our children and young people. Reading enriches our horizons, sparks curiosity, and has been proven to make us happier.”
The project aims to increase the frequency with which children read and enhance the support teachers receive to foster reading, while placing a strong focus on helping families, who are essential to sustaining these positive changes.
The year-long campaign will feature engaging events such as ‘Stay and Read’ sessions led by local favourite and children’s author Tweedy the Clown. These themed book club gatherings, run by volunteers and hosted in family hubs, will invite children and their families to share the joy of reading together. Additional activities in partnership with Gloucestershire Libraries will further enrich the initiative throughout the year.
For those seeking reading support, children can contact Read With Me at 07791 110906, while adults can reach out to Read Easy at 01388 435201 for literacy assistance.
Gloucestershire’s Year of Reading is more than a campaign—it’s an invitation to embrace reading as a vital, joyful part of life for everyone.