Children reading their way through lockdown

The Read Your Way initiative, which wants to get more children reading in Hastings and St Leonards, continues to thrive despite the lockdown restrictions; a great example of the amazing community spirit in Hastings. HOT’s Vanessa Alves reports.

The initiative is being led by Education Futures Trust, working in partnership with National Social Marketing Centre (NSMC), the FSN charity, Hastings Storytelling Festival, Culture Shift and 18 Hours and runs until July 2020.  Read Your Way is funded by the Hastings Opportunity Area and is primarily focusing on promoting a love of reading amongst children and young people in areas with low literacy levels.

Its original aim was to distribute 10,000 free children’s books through a range of book corners in the town. However, the book corners had to be closed in lockdown and their books could not be accessed.

Volunteer dropping off books

Direct delivery

Instead books are being delivered direct to family homes in the town whilst observing all social distancing rules. This was made possible by local donations of over 3,000 books in early May and an army of volunteers provided by the Education Futures Trust.

Since opening the direct delivery service, 1,500 books have been delivered to over 200 families in the town and the service has been really well received.

This is what a few of the families have said:

“What a brilliant service! Our kids have read all their books, so it was great to get a new supply. The kids are loving the titles they have been sent.”

“This service has really helped us through lockdown – the kids are really enjoying the books.”

“I have had not seen my granddaughter for a couple of months now, but I have now got some books that I read to her on video phone.”

 Speaking about the initiative, John Landels, project lead from the National Social Marketing Centre (NSMC), said: “We are really pleased that many families in Hastings, some of whom don’t normally read many books, are using lockdown to nurture a love of reading in their families”.

Carole Dixon, chief executive of Education Futures Trust, commented: “Our wonderful volunteers, who have been delivering food supplies to needy families in the town, have responded magnificently to this new challenge and we are very grateful for all their hard work. These books are really making a difference to families”.

 If you would to receive some books, please go to their Facebook page. If you don’t have access to the internet, please call John on 07990 926718.

If you want to find out about the campaign, visit their website.

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