Shared Reading With Children and Young People

Many of the children we read with have low confidence and may struggle with educational, behavioural, social or emotional challenges as a result of difficult early experiences.

However, through Shared Reading, we see the positive impact that helping children and families to develop a strong, life-long bond with books and reading can have.

Academic research shows the importance of reading for pleasure for a child’s cognitive ability, emotional wellbeing and reading attainment level. Research shows that reading for pleasure is more important for children’s cognitive development than their parents’ level of education and is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background (OECD, 2002).

Yet, most children in England do not read on a daily basis: in 2019, only 29% of 1-13 year olds surveyed reported reading for pleasure daily, down from 30% in 2017. When this age span is extended to include 14-17 year olds, the average comes down to 27%. (Egmont, 2019).

Reading Heroes

Reading Heroes supports care experienced children and young people aged 2-15 years to improve their confidence and spark a love of reading for pleasure by pairing them with a highly trained volunteer to enjoy the magic of reading aloud together.

First Page

First Page is The Reader’s family-focused project, running across the North West. The project aims to work with local organisations in the third sector who are trying to instil a love of reading within their communities.

The Storybarn

Our imaginative play space for children and families will spark a lifelong love of reading for pleasure.

School Visits

We have a range of offers for schools so that you can choose the packages best suited to you and tour class.

Volunteer to Read With a Child

Could you give an hour a week to read with a care experienced child over a six month period? We’re looking for new volunteers with opportunities online and in person.

With the number of care experienced children in the UK growing and the research telling us that they are more at risk of social, emotional and mental health problems, Reading Heroes is a more important project than ever.

As a Reading Heroes volunteer, you’ll be instilling a love of stories which can have a life long positive impact.