{"id":29821,"date":"2024-08-15T09:00:51","date_gmt":"2024-08-15T08:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/research-blog\/?p=29821"},"modified":"2024-08-13T10:19:42","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T09:19:42","slug":"ready-to-read-whitley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/research-blog\/2024\/08\/15\/ready-to-read-whitley\/","title":{"rendered":"Families flourish through co-created reading initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Holly Joseph and Daisy Powell’s (Institute of Education) community engagement in low-income areas of Reading to foster a love for literacy has earned them runner up at the 2024 Research Awards for External Collaboration and Innovation.
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Read more about their project \u2018Ready to Read: Community-led reading initiatives in Whitley<\/span>\u2019.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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A community-based project to promote a love of reading among families in low-income areas in Reading is providing benefits beyond improved literacy in children such as increased confidence and better mental health. By co-designing book-related activities with community members the project fosters trust and engagement and has generated national policy interest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Children from homes in which family members read and own books develop stronger literacy skills and do well at school. However, low-income families often lack time and resources for reading activities. Early interventions like Sure Start positively impact educational outcomes even years later at GCSE level, highlighting the value of early support to reduce the disadvantage gap.<\/p>\n

This project aimed to foster a love of reading in families in Whitley and Whitley Wood, reported to be among the most deprived areas nationally. Led by education experts Dr Holly Joseph and Dr Daisy Powell, researchers took a participatory approach, working with families, schools, libraries, charities and community centres to co-design activities that would be engaging, self-sustaining and tailored to local needs.<\/p>\n

Based on extensive interviews and informal discussions, they co-designed parent-toddler storybook groups, a book club for parents and a school-readiness summer school for pre-schoolers.<\/p>\n

Key to the project\u2019s success was building trust with a community wary of top-down interventions through recruiting community members as co-investigators and providing incentives like opportunities to socialise, tea and cake, and free books.<\/p>\n

Families reported benefits beyond just improved literacy \u2013 from increased confidence and new friendships to better sleep and mental health. The outcomes garnered strong support from local and national government, and raised funds for ongoing sessions.<\/p>\n

As well as benefitting families, the project\u2019s participatory approach has resonated with those seeking effective public services: evidence from the research has informed Labour policy discussions on early years provision and literacy development.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, the children seeing us read at home\u2026 when we come back from school, we have half an hour of reading time\u2026 it\u2019s just something that\u2019s now etched into what we do\u2026 I think I\u2019m reading two to three books a month now.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mum, parent and toddler reading group and adult book group<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YoVxxqJvbqM”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Partners<\/strong><\/p>\n