A growing community literacy campaign is coming to Worthing next week to encourage children to read for pleasure.
Children Reading for Life will hold a special BeSeenReading Day at Victoria Park on Wednesday, 20 May, supported by Heene CE Primary School, St Mary’s RC Primary School and Worthing High School.
The event is part of the expanding BeSeenReading campaign, a grassroots initiative which encourages adults and young people to make reading more visible in everyday life.
Reading ambassadors from Worthing High School will join pupils and families from the two primary schools at Victoria Park to champion the importance of reading within the local community.
The initiative follows the UK Government’s recent call for parents to read more with children as part of its National Year of Reading “GO ALL IN” campaign.
BeSeenReading was created by Children Reading for Life founder Polly Atkinson following growing concerns about declining reading for pleasure among children and young people.
The campaign encourages schools, cafés, sports clubs, businesses and local residents to be seen reading, whether that is a book, comic, magazine or newspaper.
Organisers say the aim is to help children view reading as an enjoyable everyday activity, rather than simply a school task.
Following a successful launch in Arundel last summer, and an event earlier this year at Worthing Football Club, the initiative is now expanding across West Sussex communities.
14-year-old Felix Bowler, a Year 9 pupil at Worthing High School, will be one of the reading ambassadors on the day.
He said: “What makes reading so special is its unique ability to connect us. Stories are an interconnected web of ideas, culture and history linking across time and space.”
Polly Atkinson, Founder of Children Reading for Life, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see Worthing schools supporting BeSeenReading. Children are heavily influenced by what they see around them and when they witness adults, teenagers, businesses and communities enjoying reading, it helps normalise reading for pleasure.
“The Government’s latest National Year of Reading campaign is incredibly important and completely aligns with everything Children Reading for Life has been championing since day one. Reading has the power to support confidence, develop wellbeing and provide opportunities for connection across communities.
“BeSeenReading is about creating visible reading role models everywhere, from parks and cafés to schools and sports clubs and showing children that reading belongs to everyone.”
The event takes place between 3pm and 4pm, with residents encouraged to bring a book and join in.
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