The tri-service charity has embraced the National Year of Reading which encourages children and adults across the UK to ‘Go All In’ with their reading. The idea – whatever you’re into, read into it!
Reading Force promotes and encourages shared reading as a way to stay connected and to keep military families on the same page, whether at home or away, and fully endorses the National Year of Reading, led by the Department of Education and the National Literacy Trust. Highlighting that children and adults are reading less and less, NYofR is keen to emphasize the all-round pleasures of reading.
“From a military perspective, we know from our amazing RF families that sharing a book together – at home or over FaceTime, or chatting about a book via emails – is an enjoyable and effective way to stay in one another’s thoughts. That goes for parents and carers as well as kids. We’re thrilled the National Year of Reading is giving focused attention to the enjoyment and benefits of reading in all its forms.”
Hattie Gordon, Reading Force Engagement Lead
In a joyful happenstance of timing, the charity is celebrating their 15th anniversary this year. Launched in Aldershot in 2011 by Professor Alison Baverstock, last year Reading Force distributed 16,000 special scrapbooks and journals throughout the community through early years settings, schools, welfare, and special events, and gave 5,454 books to children & young people from tiny babies to 18-year-olds.
Thanks to funding from Farnborough Airport and The Dora Green Foundation, to celebrate this anniversary, the Reading Force team will be hosting an event at Wavell School, Aldershot, with award-winning author Meg Rosoff – who launched the initiative back in 2011. Every young person will receive a book by Meg and RF special resources. Other shared-reading opportunities are also planned.
“Through our work with local schools and education partners, we understand how important strong family connections are for children’s wellbeing and development. Supporting Reading Force feels like a natural extension of that. Their work strengthens family bonds during some of the most challenging moments of military life, and we’re proud to stand behind an initiative that brings Armed Forces families closer together.”
Joanne Franco, Farnborough Airport, Head of Social Value and Planning
The charity is highly inclusive and welcomes all members of the Armed Forces community to get involved. This includes serving, veteran, reserve, divorced and bereaved families, all over the UK and those posted overseas. In recent years it has grown to include book clubs for adults and created new resources, including a teen journal and reading & well-being journal for adults.
For more information and to find out how families can get involved today, go to www.readingforce.org.uk
