Young bookworms in Hartlepool have received special rewards after reaching a personal reading milestone.
Children aged 4 to 11 were invited to take part in this year’s free Summer Reading Challenge at Hartlepool’s Community Hubs and Libraries, to encourage them to read for fun and to boost their reading skills and confidence.
The challenge was for children to borrow a total of six books – anything they liked – over the school summer holidays, while also exploring their own creativity under this year’s challenge theme of ‘Story Garden’.
A whopping 281 children completed the challenge – borrowing a total of almost 3,300 books over the summer - and to mark their achievement they have all been given medals and certificates.
Some of the Summer Reading Challenge champions with their medals and certificates
Some of them came along to a special ceremony at Community Hub Central, where they were presented with their awards by Gemma Ptak, the Council’s Assistant Director (Preventative and Community-Based Services), and Hartlepool author R.T. Taylor, author of Can’t See The Wood For The Trees, who inspired the children by talking about his work as a writer.
The children were also entered into a prize draw to win one of three Nintendo Switch game consoles. The winners were Alice Lawton, Eleanor Carr and Amelia Rose Monkman.
The Summer Reading Challenge is developed by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with public libraries across the country.
Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of the Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee – who chairs the Hartlepool Literacy Task Force - praised the children’s achievements.
The Literacy Task Force was set up in partnership with local organisations and businesses to champion literacy for everyone and make literacy skills more accessible and relevant.
Councillor Hargreaves said: “We would like to congratulate our Summer Reading Challenge champions on their outstanding achievement. They have shown great commitment to improving their reading.
“We also extend our thanks to the families and carers who have supported and encouraged them throughout. We hope this enthusiasm for reading continues to grow, as developing a daily reading habit is vital for lifelong learning and success.
“Research shows that more than a third of adults in Hartlepool have very low levels of literacy, significantly limiting their life chances and those of their families. Initiatives such as the Summer Reading Challenge play a crucial role in addressing this challenge by fostering a love of reading from an early age.
“At the same time, with £150 million being invested into the physical regeneration of Hartlepool, it is essential that local people are equipped with the skills and confidence to take full advantage of the opportunities this investment will bring.
“These young readers represent the workforce of the future, and their achievements today lay the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous tomorrow.”
Hartlepool Jobs and Skills, within Hartlepool Community Hubs, offers a range of learning opportunities for parents and children, all of which are free.
Find out more at www.hartlepooljobsandskills.com, call 01429 868616 or pop into any of Hartlepool’s community hubs or libraries.
For more information about the Literacy Task Force, email literacy.taskforce@hartlepool.gov.uk or call 01429 868616.