An exciting new initiative seeks to transform Gloucestershire into a beacon of literacy excellence. Four key organisations—Read With Me, Read for Good, Cheltenham Festivals, and Gloucestershire County Council—have united to launch Gloucestershire’s Year of Reading, aligning with the National Year of Reading to inspire a lifelong love of books for every child in the county.
This county-wide campaign brings together libraries, family hubs, schools, charities, and bookshops to foster a vibrant culture around reading. With accessible activities and resources tailored for schools, young people, and families, the goal is to reshape attitudes to reading while making it an unhurried and joyful habit.
To kick off the project, Gloucestershire conducted one of its largest ever listening exercises on reading attitudes, engaging 6,615 children and young people from 58 education settings, ranging from Reception classes through to post-16 learners. The findings reveal a strong base: children generally start school with enthusiasm for reading, teachers are highly committed, and schools provide critical access to books and stories.
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However, as children grow older, their reading enjoyment often diminishes, becoming more task-focused and less pleasurable. Inequalities around book access, quiet reading spaces, and shared reading experiences also become more pronounced.
Crucially, young people voiced simple but clear needs: more time dedicated to reading during school hours, broader choice in reading materials, and calm, supportive environments that allow reading to be self-directed and enjoyable.
Councillor Linda Cohen, Education and Skills Cabinet Member, expressed optimism about the campaign: “Gloucestershire has a proud reading tradition. This initiative invites everyone to help nurture that tradition by making time for reading and helping children find books they love. Reading broadens horizons, fosters curiosity, and is proven to increase happiness.”
The project aims not only to increase the amount of time children spend reading but also to support teachers and families who play vital roles in fostering strong reading habits.
Local children’s author and beloved figure Tweedy the Clown will help launch ‘Stay and Read’ sessions, themed book clubs held after school and at family hubs. These volunteer-led gatherings invite children and families to share the joy of reading together. Additional events and activities are planned throughout the year in partnership with Gloucestershire Libraries.
For those seeking reading support, Read With Me offers assistance for children at 07791 110906, while adults can contact Read Easy at 01388 435201 for literacy support.
Through community collaboration and an emphasis on enjoyable, accessible reading, Gloucestershire’s Year of Reading vows to enrich lives and embed literacy at the heart of the county’s future.