Support children’s literacy this festive season
Each December, we highlight a good cause that has special resonance for writers. With 2026 announced as the National Year of Reading, we have chosen The Children’s Literacy Charity. If you are in a position to give, please consider donating to help close the literacy gap and support the next generation of readers.
At The Children’s Literacy Charity, we know that stories can change children’s lives. Reading sparks imagination and opens the door to learning. But for too many children, this magic remains out of reach. Low literacy continues to affect thousands of children growing up in disadvantaged communities, leaving them struggling in school and missing out on the broadened horizons that literacy brings.
As a community of writers and creators, ALCS members know better than anyone the difference that books can make, so we hope our appeal this Christmas will resonate.
We place expert tutors in schools to provide specialist, 1:1 and 1:3 structured support for the children who are the furthest behind. Most start with reading ages well below their peers, feeling frustrated, anxious and disengaged. Working with our highly trained tutors, children make incredible progress across all the important literacy skills, in comprehension, listening, speaking, writing as well as reading, and experience success that builds confidence, resilience and self-belief.
In our Reading Lab catch up programme, children often ask if they can borrow the books we use in the tuition sessions, so for our Christmas campaign this year we are on a mission to build Reading Lab lending libraries for all the schools we partner with, enabling children to take books home to enjoy with their families.
The difference your support makes
£500 – Each £500 we raise creates a Reading Lab Lending Library so the books the children have used in our tuition sessions can be taken home and shared with families — helping stories come alive far beyond the classroom. Any donation towards this will help us build our Lending Libraries!
£100 – Helps to fund a child for their first week of Reading Lab catch up tuition, starting a child on their literacy journey.
£20 – Gives a child the literacy resources they need to feel engaged and excited to learn in their Reading Lab sessions.
Donate here
The Head Teacher of a London primary school recently shared the story of a Year 5 child who had been referred to our Reading Lab for specialist help as they thought that a smaller, tailored environment could provide the specific support needed to build literacy skills, concentration and confidence.
She commented: “This child has made remarkable progress and his journey through Reading Lab illustrates the profound impact of tailored, emotionally-attuned intervention. When we look beyond standard data points and engage with the whole child, we can foster not only academic success but also identity, agency, and joy in learning.”
Most rewarding of all though was feedback from the child’s mother: she credits Reading Lab with “changing everything”, unlocking not only reading skills but also confidence, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning. “Where reading was once a source of conflict, it has become a shared pleasure”.
If you are able to support us, your generosity will make a meaningful and lasting difference. You can find out more about all our specialist work and our wonderful expert tutors here.
