Bookmark Reading Charity

As we celebrate #WorldBookDay, it's important to remember that not every child gets to experience the excitement and joy of reading. For many children, especially those from disadvantaged communities, reading is a daily struggle - and that struggle can shape the rest of their lives. Children who fall behind in reading are at greater risk of leaving school with lower qualifications, facing unemployment, poorer health and even a shorter life expectancy. But the impact doesn’t stop at childhood. Right now, 16% of adults in England are considered functionally illiterate*. These adults often struggle with everyday tasks that many of us take for granted - like understanding utility bills, reading a restaurant menu, or figuring out the signs at a bus stop. For many, poor literacy in adulthood starts in childhood - children who miss out on the support they need to build strong reading skills early on, can carry that disadvantage with them for life. Also, the cost of low literacy doesn’t just affect individuals - it’s estimated to cost the UK economy £81 billion every year**. But there’s good news. Together, we can help break this cycle. By becoming a reading volunteer, you can help a child gain the confidence and skills they need to thrive - not just in school, but in life. Your one-to-one support could be the spark that helps them discover the joy of reading and opens up a brighter future. Help change their future ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ezNysDby #BookmarkReading #WorldBookDay #ChangeTheirFuture #ChildrensLiteracy #Education *Kerr, E. (2021). Paying the price: The cost of very poor adult literacy. Pro Bono Economics **Cree, A., Kay, A., & Steward, J. (2022). The economic & social cost of illiteracy: A snapshot of illiteracy in a global context. World Literacy Foundation

We're delighted to announce that Rachel Brodie is joining us as the new Chair of Trustees. After a brief handover period, she will become the new Chair to lead our Board of Trustees. Rachel brings with her a wealth of experience and passion for education. She said: “I am deeply committed to supporting the charity’s vision, and I’m excited to work alongside our outstanding team, trustees, volunteers, partner schools, donors, and supporters to realise our transformational goals. We want every child to read – and I am thrilled to be part of the next chapter of that journey.” "I am so proud to have been part of a charity that was set up to change children’s lives through the joy of reading." - founder and outgoing Chair of Trustees, Sharon Pindar will remain committed to supporting our mission through her new role as Bookmark's first Patron. Rachel’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter at Bookmark, as we work towards our goal of 500,000 children benefitting from a Bookmark programme by July 2027. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ej3RU34V #BookmarkReading #ChildrensLiteracy

We're so excited to launch issue 12 of The Story Corner magazine. This issue is all about the wonders of Earth! 🌍 From exotic animals and diverse landscapes, to wild weather and the changing of the seasons, this issue is packed full of stories, facts, illustrations and games, that showcase the beauty of nature. We're thrilled to send out more than 178,000 copies to 810+ schools and community centres in the most disadvantaged areas. With one in eight children aged five-to-eight, not owning a book at home, The Story Corner magazine is something children can keep for themselves so they can continue their love of reading outside of school settings. Explore more about our latest magazine here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eYFEW3VY Illustration © Sarah Harrison for Bookmark Reading Charity #BookmarkReading #ChildrensLiteracy

It's great to see The Comic Book Club in action! This is a fantastic programme that uses graphic novels, scrapbooks and resources to get pupils excited about reading! The Comic Book Club provides pupils with access to texts they may not have outside of the club, either at home or at school. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e2Q957qS

We, along with over 120 leading organisations in the education sector, have signed the Fair Education Alliance's open letter to the Chancellor. Together, we are advocating for children and young people from low-income households during the current Government Spending Review process. Our shared vision for a fair education system can only be realised by stabilising school budgets, enhancing collaboration across services and ensuring targeted funding reaches those who need it most at every stage of education. Let’s continue to work together to create a fairer education system for all children and young people. Read the full open letter and our asks for government here: https://bit.ly/4iDJrFF #BookmarkReading #FairEdForAll #FairEducation

Children's comics are booming, with sales hitting an all-time high of nearly £20 million in England! In a recent article from The Guardian, it states that young readers are drawn in by the bright visuals and funny characters, before becoming carried along by the stories - a fantastic bridge for struggling readers by combining text with imagery. It's fantastic to see a growing appetite for comic books, especially after the National Literacy Trust confirmed the decline in children's reading habits last November. With just one in three children and young people enjoying reading in their free time, it's so important to explore innovative ways to engage young readers. At Bookmark, we champion diverse stories to inspire even the most reluctant readers to discover the joy of reading. Read the full article here ➡️https://lnkd.in/gCSANRxc #BookmarkReading #ComicBooks

We’re delighted to announce that we are the new UK Charity Partner 2025/26 for Bank of America! 🎉 Thank you to everyone at Bank of America for choosing Bookmark Reading Charity. It was an absolute pleasure to meet your colleagues up and down the country earlier this week to kickstart the partnership. Together, we’re going to make a huge impact. We look forward to expanding into new areas, providing more children with the resources and one-to-one support they need to experience the joy of reading 📚 We are excited to work together, investing in young minds, one story at a time. #BookmarkReading #BankOfAmerica #CharityOfTheYear

World Book Day may have passed, but the magic of reading lasts a lifetime. Books open doors to new possibilities, fuel curiosity and spark meaningful conversations every day. Let’s keep the celebration going! Register to be a reading volunteer and inspire a child to find their next favourite story ➡️https://lnkd.in/eqkkA8AF #BookmarkReading #ChangeTheirFuture #ReadingMatters #BookLovers #WorldBookDay

ITV’s recent article highlights concerns over children’s reading habits on World Book Day and brings attention to a growing challenge - encouraging children to develop a love of reading in an increasingly digital age. The article notes that fewer children are choosing to read for pleasure, with many opting for screens over books. In fact, only 1 in 3 children and young people enjoy reading. This is exactly the kind of challenge we are working to address. Reading for pleasure has so many benefits, from improving literacy skills and expanding vocabulary, to developing imagination and creativity – it’s even been linked to higher levels of happiness and self-esteem. Through our programmes, we want to help foster a reading for pleasure culture in primary schools, making books exciting, accessible and fun. Our volunteer-led reading programme gives children the opportunity for one-to-one reading support, which not only practices essential reading skills, but also gives children a chance to explore stories that spark their interest and develop their own reader identity. Whether it’s through discovering new genres, building confidence with challenging words, or simply finding joy in a favourite story, we want to ensure every child can experience the pleasure of reading - something that’s matters now more than ever. Read the full article ➡️https://lnkd.in/esy2TiG7 #BookmarkReading #ReadingForPleasure #Crisis

Humour is a powerful tool in storytelling, making books more engaging and accessible for young readers. We spoke with author Chris Smith about how comedy can spark a love of reading, his top tips for writing funny stories and why laughter is at the heart of great children's books. Continue the #WorldBookDay celebrations and pick up a book that makes you laugh - it might just be the key to unlocking a lifelong love of reading! Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eCzKzUv5 #BookmarkReading #WorldBookDay #ChangeTheirFuture #FunnyBooks