Background

In 2009, the National Literacy Trust received funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (now the Department for Education) to work with local authorities to improve literacy levels by developing community-wide partnerships focused on literacy. This work was underpinned by knowledge of the importance of the home learning environment and focused on extending literacy support to vulnerable families by involving a greater range of partners.

In some areas, consultation with families raised concerns that suitable support was not available or, where it was, it was considered too formal, too intimidating and too hard to access. The consultation highlighted that community-based provision was needed, offering peer support on an informal and one-to-one basis. In response, Rochdale developed a Literacy Champions training programme for frontline workers and volunteers to ensure that literacy support reached the individuals and communities in most need. With the support of the National Literacy Trust the Literacy Champions programme in Rochdale has been replicated across a number of local authorities and adapted to local needs, effectively filling gaps in local support for literacy.

The training and expertise developed in Rochdale and other local authorities through the National Literacy Trust’s work was drawn upon in the development of the London Literacy Champions project, delivered by the National Literacy Trust in partnership with organisations across 20 London local authorities from 2011 to 2012. The project was part of Team London, funded by the Mayor of London and the Reuben Foundation.

Read more about the impact of the London Literacy Champions project.

Read more about the research supporting the Literacy Champions programme.