Programme launched to help Speke schools to pick up the reading habit

Local schools in Speke are being helped to fall in love with books thanks to a project sponsored by New Mersey Shopping Park and run by the National Literacy Trust’s (NLT) Young Readers’ Programme.

The project began in mid November when teachers from St Christopher’s and Banks Road primary schools were invited to a training session at New Mersey Shopping Park. The Park aims to open up the exciting world of books to 250 kids at the two schools.
Teachers will help pupils to choose their own books and the children will be invited to select three books to keep for free at special book events.

New Mersey staff will visit the schools in the coming months and are also planning a special event at the shopping park to coincide with World Book Day in March.
The shopping park’s owner, British Land, is spending £8,000 on the reading initiative in Speke as part of a £35,000 national Young Readers programme.

Colin Gilligan, Park Manager, said: “We are delighted to support this worthwhile project aimed at helping young people fall in love with reading.

“There is so much children can get from books but as the National Literacy Trust tell us from their research many are not being given the chance to discover the value and enjoyment that books can bring to their lives.

“It is important for us as a significant employer and contributor to the local economy that we participate in such a project with the potential to make a strong impact within the community.”

Caroline Sence, who manages the programme for the NLT commented: “One in three children in the UK does not own a book of their own and our nationwide campaign alongside British Land and their Shopping Parks is to tackle this deprivation in the most practical way.”

5th December 2011