Broughton Shopping Park books boost for Flintshire pupils

Broughton Shopping Park welcomed more than 270 school children from Ysgol Ca'er Nant in Deeside, Saltney Ferry CP School and Wood Memorial CP School in Saltney for a storytelling session, aimed at helping them fall in love with reading.

The event involved children hearing stories from professional storyteller Fiona Eadie, and was part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative sponsored by Broughton's co-owner British Land and run in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, designed to encourage children to read outside of the classroom.

During the literacy-focussed event, the pupils also took part in a range of fun activities and were able to take home a book of their choice.

Book sharing in a Young Reader’s Programme event at the Nando's at Broughton Shopping Park.

British Land and the National Literacy Trust are celebrating 11 years in partnership this year and, since the programme launched at Broughton Shopping Park, it has supported more than 2,400 school children and seen more than 7,200 books donated across the region.

Research by the National Literacy Trust has shown that owning a book means children are more likely to say they enjoy reading and are more inclined to read in their free time. However, almost 6% of children in the UK do not own a book, which equates to almost 415,000 children across the country.

With reading for enjoyment proven to have a positive effect on children's reading skill, as well as their wellbeing and mental health, the Young Readers Programme initiative aims to give support and help with the development of children in under privileged areas by giving them access to books.

Students holding their new books from a Young Reader’s Programme event, outside Cineworld at Broughton Shopping Park.

Alan Barker, centre manager at Broughton, said: "Supporting local children and their families is so important to us and the Young Readers Programme is an integral part of this. We look forward to this brilliant initiative every year and have loved hosting children from Ysgol Ca'er Nant, Saltney Ferry CP School and Wood Memorial CP School."

Jonathan Douglas CBE, chief executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: "Reading for enjoyment is proven to support mental wellbeing, literacy skills, and future success. Encouraging children to enjoy reading from a young age can have a measurable impact on the rest of their lives.

"But the sad reality is that 6% of children across the country don't have their own book to read at home, and many don't find reading enjoyable. Through the Young Readers Programme and the support of British Land, we are able to help so many more children have fun whilst reading outside the classroom, give them access to inspiring books and access to many benefits that they may otherwise be missing out on."