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Middlesbrough set to get reading
24 Jan 2013
The Middlesbrough Reading Campaign is launching to raise the profile of literacy across Middlesbrough.
Led by charity the National Literacy Trust in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, the campaign is set to increase awareness of the importance of literacy skills in Middlesbrough, extend literacy support for local people and improve the opportunities and employability of Middlesbrough residents.
To mark the launch of the Middlesbrough Reading Campaign, which falls in National Storytelling Week, children and families are invited to a special book giveaway on Tuesday January 29, where Deputy Mayor Budd, Middlesbrough Football Club player Lukas Jutkiewicz and mascot ‘Roary the lion’ will be giving out free books outside an Arriva bus in Morrisons’ car park, Berwick Hills.
Children and families can come down to the launch from 3.30pm to 4.30pm to get free books, refreshments and doodle with Teesside author Keith Brumpton. There will be the opportunity to win one of three sets of his Dino FC book series, and children can also challenge Lukas Jutkiewicz in a penalty shoot-out!
Children in Middlesbrough often start school without the spoken language they need to make a success of their education. This gap in achievement continues into adulthood, and in some areas of Middlesbrough 40% of adults have such low literacy levels it makes everyday life difficult. This compares with just 11% of the UK population who struggle to this extent.
The Middlesbrough Reading Campaign, supported with funding from the Booker Prize Foundation and the Man Charitable Trust, brings together national and local partners, working collaboratively to improve attitudes to reading and literacy skills. It encompasses a range of exciting projects, activities and events in Middlesbrough to give children and families the literacy skills they need to succeed in everyday life.
Campaign initiatives include:
- Training volunteers to support the literacy of 375 families
- Local partners such as Middlesbrough FC Foundation, Business in the Community and Greggs, helping 150 school pupils achieve the language and communication skills they need to gain work
- Middlesbrough FC Foundation supporting 1100 under-achieving pupils through the National Literacy Trust’s project “Premier League Reading Stars” programme
- Distributing books to local people via a partnership with Arriva Bus Company
- Supporting Middlesbrough’s library service to extend their reach into communities and attract new users
- Recycling used books through a partnership with Better World Books, where people can donate unwanted books at various points across the town
- A local media campaign communicating positive messages about reading and providing practical tips for parents on how to confidently support their children’s reading development
Mayor Ray Mallon says:
I am delighted that Middlesbrough Council is working in partnership with the National Literacy Trust – a national charity with extensive expertise and knowledge in addressing low literacy. Together we are bringing together lots of local organisations and public services to make sure that literacy support gets out into our communities where it is needed most. We need to work together to get Middlesbrough reading and succeeding.
Jonathan Douglas, Director at the National Literacy Trust says:
We are taking a unique approach in deploying tried and tested literacy projects across Middlesbrough, working in partnership with local businesses and existing programmes and launching a media campaign to raise awareness of the importance of supporting children’s literacy. We are looking forward to working with the Middlesbrough community to break intergenerational patterns of low literacy.
Getting parents involved is crucial to the success of this campaign and we would encourage Middlesbrough parents to visit www.turningpages.co.uk where they can find practical tips on supporting their child’s reading.
Middlesbrough Football Club Player Lukas Jutkiewicz is supporting the Campaign. He says:
I think the Middlesbrough Reading Campaign is giving out a really important message to kids. It’s really important for them to read. It can give you different perspectives on life and open your mind up about lots of different things, whether its facts or fiction. I read a fair bit – at the moment I’m reading a really good book called Catch 22.
I usually read in the evenings before I knock the lights off to go to sleep. I find reading a really good way to switch off and be transported into different worlds and also to relax.
I like anything from thrillers to comedy to fantasy. I loved reading the Harry Potter books – I read the first one when I was ten years old and grew up with them and I also like Dan Brown’s books.
Man Booker Prize shortlisted author Alison Moore is an ambassador for the Campaign. Alison says:
Books have always given me a huge amount of pleasure. I first got involved in literacy work when I was at school, and ever since have enjoyed taking part in initiatives designed to bring people and books together, removing the obstacles between them. I’m delighted to be working on this project with the National Literacy Trust.
Stephen Kelman, Man Booker prize nominee, says:
These innovative projects are so important. I'm really proud to have been involved with the work of the National Literacy Trust and the Booker Prize Foundation, and to have seen first hand the results that can be achieved just by sharing an enthusiasm for the written word. It really is life-changing.
Notes to editors
- Visit www.turningpages.co.uk to find out more about the Middlesbrough Reading Campaign with news, events and practical tips for how parents can support their children’s reading development.
