In the UK alone, there were 4.3 million children living in poverty from 2019-2020, which also wasn’t helped by the pandemic. Despite what’s going on at home, The Book Trust wants to keep young children inspired and creative from an early age, and through access to books and learning resources, children can begin to enjoy reading.
The Book Trust is the UK’s largest reading charity, reaching millions of children per year with resources to help children get reading.
The organisation wants to focus on how fun reading can be, which is why they target young children so reading becomes a part of their daily life and natural for them.
“Reading matters because it can have a lifelong positive impact on a child, affecting their health and wellbeing, creativity and educational outcomes.” – The Book Trust
Over the next 5 years, the organisation plans to prioritise disadvantaged / vulnerable children and families, starting this Christmas.
Their Christmas Appeal is aimed at children whose Christmas might not be magical this year. This initiative surprises children with book parcels, 16,000 in total. Half of the books will be given to children spending Christmas without their families, and the other half through local food banks.
The Book Trust are accepting donations for the initiative this Christmas here.