Young Readers Programme – The NEN

Fort Kinnaird hosts storytelling events at local schools

New report reveals reading for enjoyment is at it’s lowest in nearly 20 years

More than 190 Edinburgh children have taken part in storytelling sessions designed to inspire a love of reading, as new research reveals that reading for enjoyment among 8 – 18-year-olds in the UK is at its lowest since 2005 – for almost two decades.

According to the National Literacy Trust, reading for enjoyment is proven to build a child’s confidence as well as make them feel happy and relaxed, yet only 41.5% of children and young people from Scotland say they enjoy reading in their free time.

The events have been organised by Fort Kinnaird as part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative between its co-owner British Land and the National Literacy Trust, that aims to encourage children to read outside of the classroom.

Storyteller Luke Winter joins P3, P4 and P5 for Young Reader’s Programme at Niddrie Mill Primary School, Edinburgh.

Children from Castleview, Niddrie Mill, and Brunstane primary schools enjoyed a performance from a professional storyteller and took part in a range of fun activities including a bookmark making workshop. Each child was also given a book of their choice to take home for free, the third book this year gifted as part of the wider programme.

2024 marks the thirteenth year of British Land’s partnership with the National Literacy Trust, and since the programme launched at Fort Kinnaird, it has supported more than 2,700 school children and seen more than 8,200 books donated across Edinburgh.

P4 – Young Reader’s Programme comes to P3, P4 and P5 at Niddrie Mill Primary School, Edinburgh.

The Young Readers Programme is especially designed to provide additional support and help with the development of children in under privileged areas by giving them better access to books.

The National Literacy Trust research revealed that fewer young people who received free school meals (FSM) said they enjoyed reading when compared to their peers who did not receive free school meals (39.5% FSM vs 43.8% non-FSM).

P4 – Isla 8 and Marcie 8. Young Reader’s Programme comes to P3, P4 and P5 at Niddrie Mill Primary School, Edinburgh.

Liam Smith, centre manager at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Supporting our community is at the heart of what we do, so we are incredibly proud of the Young Readers Programme and all the local children and families we have been able to support over many years.

“It’s such a rewarding initiative, hearing how the children are inspired by the stories and activities and seeing just how excited they are to take their own book home. This is a programme that really makes a difference and we’re so pleased to be a part of it for another brilliant year.”

Martin Galway, Head of School Programmes at the National Literacy Trust, said: “Sparking a love of reading can change a child’s life. It can inspire children’s imagination, provide comfort and escape, build confidence, and support improved literacy skills which are the foundation for all learning.

“Through the Young Readers Programme, we have partnered with British Land for the last 13 years – giving children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to experience enchanting storytelling events, and to choose and keep books that speak to their interests and passions.

“Our goal is to inspire a love of books and reading that will stay with them forever, which in turn will provide them with essential literacy and life skills they need to succeed and reach their own goals.”

Local schools host storytelling events in partnership with Fort Kinnaird

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

More than 260 children from Edinburgh have taken part in storytelling sessions organised by Fort Kinnaird aimed at helping them fall in love with reading.

The event allowed children to listen to stories from professional storyteller Ron Fairweather and were part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative sponsored by Fort Kinnaird co-owner British Land and run in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, that is designed to encourage children to read outside of the classroom.

Ron Fairweather has been writing and performing stories, songs, and poems for decades, including performing at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the National Museum of Edinburgh, and The Scottish Storytelling Centre.

During the literacy-focussed events, pupils from Niddrie Mill Primary School, Brunstane Primary School, and Castleview Primary School were also able to take home a book of their choice.

This marks the twelfth year of British Land’s partnership with the National Literacy Trust, and since the programme launched at Fort Kinnaird, it has supported more than 2,500 school children and seen more than 7,600 books donated across Edinburgh.

Research by the National Literacy Trust has shown that owning a book means children are more likely to say they enjoy reading and are more inclined to read in their free time. However, 6.5% of children in the UK do not own a book, which equates to half a million children across the country*. This rises to one in 10 (9.7%) children from disadvantaged backgrounds, which is the demographic this partnership aims to reach.

With reading for enjoyment proven to have a positive effect on children’s reading skill* as well as their wellbeing and mental health, the Young Readers Programme initiative aims to give support and help with the development of children in under privileged areas by giving them access to books.

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Supporting our community is very important to us, so we’re incredibly proud of the Young Readers Programme and all the local children and families we’ve been able to support in the last 12 years.

“It’s always very rewarding to hear how the children are inspired by the stories and start to get excited about reading and bringing their own books home.”

Martin Galway, Head of School Programmes at the National Literacy Trust, said: “The right book, at the right moment, can change a child’s life.

“That’s what the Young Readers Programme has been doing with British Land for the last 12 years – giving children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to experience enchanting storytelling events, and to choose books that speak to their interests and passions.

“Our goal is to spark a love of reading that will last them a lifetime, which in turn will empower them with the literacy skills they need to succeed.”

Fort Kinnaird supports Young Readers Programme storytelling events

More than 250 school children from three schools in Edinburgh have taken part in storytelling sessions organised by Fort Kinnaird, aimed at helping them fall in love with reading.

The events involved children hearing stories from professional storyteller, Amanda Edmiston, and were part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative sponsored by Fort Kinnaird’s co-owner British Land and run-in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, designed to encourage children to read outside of the classroom.

During the literary-focussed events, pupils from Castleview Primary School, Niddrie Mill Primary School and Brunstane Primary School also learnt how to choose books they will enjoy and were able to take home a book of their choice.

British Land and the National Literacy Trust are celebrating 11 years in partnership this year and, since the programme launched at Fort Kinnaird, it has supported almost 2,300 school children and seen more than 6,800 books donated across the Edinburgh.

Research by the National Literacy Trust has shown that owning a book means children are more likely to say they enjoy reading and are more inclined to read in their free time. However, almost 6% of children in the UK do not own a book, which equates to almost 415,000 children across the country*.

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Supporting local children and their families is so important to us and the Young Readers Programme is an integral part of this.

“We look forward to this brilliant initiative every year and have loved seeing children from across our community enjoy their storytelling sessions.”

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “Reading for enjoyment is proven to support mental wellbeing, literacy skills, and future success. Encouraging children to enjoy reading from a young age can have a measurable impact on the rest of their lives.

“But the sad reality is that 6% of children across the country don’t have their own book to read at home, and many don’t find reading enjoyable.

“Through the Young Readers Programme and the support of British Land, we are able to help so many more children have fun whilst reading outside the classroom, give them access to inspiring books and access to many benefits that they may otherwise be missing out on.”

School ‘Booknic’ events hosted by Fort Kinnaird to inspire children to read

More than 180 school children across three schools in Edinburgh have taken part in a celebratory ‘booknic’ event organised by Fort Kinnaird in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.

The ‘booknic’ involved children enjoying a picnic and a book while also taking part in a range of fun reading-themed activities.

Schoolchildren from St Francis RC Primary School, Castleview Primary School and Niddrie Mill Primary School took part in the event, with each child also able to take a book of their choice home.

The ‘booknic’ was part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative sponsored by Fort Kinnaird’s co-owner British Land and run in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, designed to encourage children to read outside of the classroom.

The initiative also gave the schools access to virtual interactive storytelling sessions and a literary quiz.

British Land and the National Literacy Trust celebrates its 10^th year in partnership this year. Since the programme launched in Edinburgh, it has supported more than 2,000 schoolchildren and seen more than 6,100 books donated across the city.

Research from the National Literacy Trust shows that children who own their own books are six times more likely to read above the level expected for their age and three times more likely to enjoy reading.

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Supporting our community is so important to us and the Young Readers Programme plays a massive part in that. It’s a brilliant initiative which we look forward to every year and it’s great to see the children celebrating at our booknic event.

“Thanks also needs to go to the National Literacy Trust for their hard work on this event and over the years. They’ve helped us to ensure that the additional support and books go to those who need them most.”

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “Encouraging children to develop a love of reading from a young age can have a tangible impact on their literacy skills, mental wellbeing and futures.

“Yet hundreds of thousands of children across the UK are missing out on these benefits simply because they don’t have a book of their own to read at home.

“The Young Readers Programme, with support from British Land, tackles this and we’d like to thank them for all their support over the years.”