About National Literacy Trust

One in five people in the UK struggles to read and write. Poor skills compromise the health, confidence, happiness and employability of individuals and have a negative impact on our national economy.

To make a real difference, whole communities need to work together. We help to make this happen. The National Literacy Trust links home, school and the wider community to inspire learners and create opportunities for everyone. We deliver innovative programmes, information and research, and we bring together key organisations to lead literacy promotion in the UK.

The National Literacy Trust runs a number of initiatives and projects targeted in areas of disadvantage. These include:

Reading Is Fundamental, UK (RIF)

RIF helps children and young people in areas of deprivation to reach their potential by motivating them to read. RIF enables over 24,000 children each year to choose three free books and take part in motivational events held in schools, libraries, women’s refuges and football clubs, which emphasise the fun of reading.

“Thank you for my RIF book, I’ve now got two books in my bookcase at home.”

Misha, age 6

Reading The Game

Reading The Game (RTG) is our on-the-ground project which works with professional football to engage people in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Through the motivational power of sport and the use of footballers as role models we target and engage those who are hard to reach through more conventional channels, particularly men and boys.

Talk To Your Baby

Talk To Your Baby is a campaign run by the National Literacy Trust to encourage parents and carers to talk more to children from birth to three. Talking and listening to young children helps them develop good language and communication skills, builds their confidence and helps parents and children to bond. We provide information, advice and downloadable free resources to support early years professionals and inform families.

National Reading Campaign

The National Reading Campaign promotes reading for pleasure throughout the whole community, focusing on those most in need. Reading can inspire and help people in a variety of ways to develop their skills. We provide a network to bring the reading community together and maximise support for reading events, and we provide information about effective ways of promoting reading for individuals, schools and organisations.