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Scottish Book Trust has received £40,000 funding for Glasgow Reading Buddies, a project that encourages reading for pleasure in primary schools in Glasgow.
The money will be used in areas of high social deprivation and participating schools will receive teacher training, resources, a set of picture books and a drama workshops that will help older pupils build confidence and storytelling skills.
Marc Lambert, c.e.o. of Scottish Book Trust, said: “Reading Buddies nurtures a love of reading, developing a range of literacy skills and supporting children to become more confident readers. It also encourages imagination, curiosity and leadership. Improving access to reading and writing programmes, for children and adults, is one of our key aims.
“This is most important in areas where poverty prevents some families from taking advantage of all the opportunities that a lifelong love of books and reading can bring.”
Glasgow has some of the UK’s poorest neighbourhoods and 34.31% of children in the city live in poverty, the charity said, quoting the End Child Poverty Coalition.
Scottish Book Trust received £20,000 is from the People’s Postcode Trust, a grant giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and £20,000 is from the Barcapel Foundation, which makes financial awards to charities working in areas of health, heritage and youth. The programme is also being supported by Glasgow Life Reader Development and Literacy Team.
Reading Buddies will run in Glasgow from next week (20 August) until the end of March 2019 but the programme is “sustainable beyond its funding” because the tools and resources will remain with the schools in subsequent years, said the charity.