Summer Reading Challenge champions receive their rewards  

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 ‘Marvellous Makers’.

A whopping 317 children completed the challenge and to mark their achievement they have all been given medals and certificates.

Many of them came along to one of two special ceremonies at Community Hub Central to be presented with their awards by the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Carole Thompson and the Mayor’s Consort Councillor Phil Holbrook and by Gemma Ptak, the Council’s Assistant Director (Preventative and Community-Based Services). 

The children were also entered into a prize draw to win one of two Nintendo Switch game consoles and the winners were Sophia Salfi and Violet Smith.

The Summer Reading Challenge is developed by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with public libraries across the country.

Councillor Carole Thompson said: “Congratulations to all this year’s Summer Reading Champions – they have done so well and we are really proud of them.

“As a child I was at the library every week and I read anything up to five books a week.

“To read a book is to start a journey of adventure and discovery – it helps you grow your imagination, build your knowledge and, of course, it helps increase your literacy, which is a key skill for life.

“We hope the Challenge will encourage the children to continue to read for fun, supported by their mums, dads, grandparents, carers and other family members – there’s nothing nicer than reading together as a family.”

The Council’s Hartlepool Community Hubs run a free Homework Club for children and parents every Wednesday evening at Community Hub Central in York Road from 4.30pm to 6pm, where parents and children can learn together in a welcoming environment, building their reading and writing skills. There’s no booking needed – just turn up.

Hartlepool Jobs and Skills, within Hartlepool Community Hubs, also 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.