Schools host storytelling events to help kids fall in love with reading

More than 280 children took part in storytelling sessions last month aimed at helping them fall in love with reading.

The sessions allowed children from Rotherhithe to listen to stories from professional storyteller Alim Kamara, and were part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative sponsored by Surrey Quays’ owner British Land and run in partnership with the National Literacy Trust which is designed to encourage children to read outside the classroom.

During the literacy-focussed events, pupils from Rotherhithe Primary School, in Hawkstone Road, Galleywall Primary School, in Galleywall Road, Peter Hills C of E Primary School in Beatson Walk with St Mary’s & St Paul’s Primary School took part in a range of fun activities and were able to take home a book of their choice.

Vi Chu, centre manager at Surrey Quays, 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.

“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.”

Activities included a session with London artist Rod Kitson, Surrey Quays’ resident artist, and runs weekly life drawing classes and annual exhibitions.

Mr Kitson did a draw-along to a poem and then ran a self-portrait workshop with the students.

Since British Land’s partnership with the National Literacy Trust was launched at Surrey Quays 12 years ago, the programme has supported about 3,000 schoolchildren and donated more than 8,800 books across South-east London.

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. But 6.5 per cent of children in the UK do not own a book, which is half a million children across the country.

This rises to one in 10 children from disadvantaged backgrounds, the demographic this partnership aims to reach.

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 past 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.”

(Pictured top: Rotherhithe pupils at one of the reading sessions (Picture: Surrey Quays Young Readers Programme)