Andrew Percy MP

Andrew Percy MP

Member of Parliament for Brigg & Goole and the Isle of Axholme

Meeting Booktrust

 

Last week Andrew met with Janis Wilson, Booktrust Regional Manager, to discuss Booktrust’s book-gifting programmes and work locally.

Andrew was informed that Booktrust is an independent reading and writing charity that makes a nationwide impact on individuals, families and communities, and culture in the UK. They make a significant positive contribution to the educational outcomes of children from the earliest age, working to empower people of all ages and abilities by giving them confidence and choices about reading. Children are identified through children’s centres with the aim to ensure that every child has access to books and reading opportunities.

Andrew says "It was great to meet with Janis and hear about the work that Booktrust does. Whilst I’ve already launched the Imagination Library locally, which provides a free book each month for children aged 0-5 and currently has over 40 children registered, I’m always interested to hear about similar schemes to improve literacy and encourage a love for reading. As a teacher I recognised how important an early start is on reading.

"Janis explained to me that one of Booktrust’s current programmes is the Letterbox club which focuses on improving the educational outlook for children aged 7-13 in foster families by providing them with a parcel of books, maths activities and educational materials every month for six months. This is something I would certainly encourage those families to look into and, as each child is enrolled by participating local authorities, I have written to East Riding of Yorkshire Council to ask whether they are supporting this scheme locally."

 

Anyone interested in gaining more information on Booktrust and their work can visit their website: http://www.booktrust.org.uk/

 

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