Why support us?

We believe that reading can transform people's lives. The more you read, the more you know. The more you read, the more you imagine. The more you read, the better you may understand other people and connect with them.

Our work depends on financial support from many sources. Whether you are an individual, business, or charitable trust, you can help us transform lives through reading.

Individuals

Every donation will help The Reading Agency to reach children and adults whose lives can be improved by reading. If you would like to make a donation to support our work please email giving@readingagency.org.uk and we will call you back to discuss how we will use your donation.

Corporate giving

We have a long history of working with corporate partners including the BBC, Orange and Waterstone's. We are looking to forge partnerships with Corporate Supporters throughout the United Kingdom. There are many ways that businesses can become involved with our initiatives to provide opportunities for your employee and company donations, support your company volunteering programmes or provide creative and exciting CSR activities. Please contact giving@readingagency.org.uk to discuss these opportunities or any other ideas in more detail. We will work with you to meet your specific requirements.

Trusts and foundations

We are very fortunate to have had fantastic support from many charitable trusts and foundations. We would like to thank the following current supporters.

Any charitable trusts or foundations who are interested in our work please contact giving@readingagency.org.uk. We would be delighted to meet you and take you to visit some of our projects.

Raising money for our work

We encourage everybody to get actively involved in raising money for our projects. Recently we've had a team running the Hackney Marshes 10K to raise over £600 for the Six Book Challenge to support adults with lower literacy levels.

We believe everyone is able to make a difference and to help us to achieve the results that we want for thousands of people. Please contact giving@readingagency.org.uk to talk about your ideas for fundraising and we will work with you to support your project.

"Reading can open up all sorts of doors to people. I really can't say how glad I am that I did the Six Book Challenge - and I'm still reading!" Ken Bakker, Bolton

Call: 0207 324 2544

Email: info@readingagency.org.uk

Address Free Word, 60 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3GA

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If you have a specific enquiry about one of our projects then you will find the project manager's email in the Resources section of the relevant project page.

If you have an enquiry about ordering resources email Shop.

Whichever way you choose to get in touch we look forward to hearing from you.

We've come a long way since we first started and are involved in some exciting stuff.

We run a potent, magical mixture of big national partnership schemes, library reading promotions, projects that target specific readers and run our own research and publishing programme. Our initial staff base of two full-time people has multiplied by 800 per cent! Our virtual office is now a physical one.

We are not stopping here though. We've also got plans for strengthening our partnerships, in particular by bringing libraries, publishers and libraries together, we are developing exciting new work with children and young people through our groupthing website, HeadSpace, Participate and Chatterbooks projects, our adult literacy work continues to grow and develop through the Six Book Challenge that is now running in libraries, colleges, workplaces, prisons and many other settings. And the hugely successful Summer Reading Challenge continues to grow bigger each year.

If you'd like to know more or are interested in working with us, please contact us.

Reading for Life has grown out of the hugely successful National Year of Reading. So that we can continue to share all the good practice around reading that came out of the National Year of Reading leading agencies in the field have come together to promote the benefits of reading.

Reading for Life promotions

The Sun are about to launch the Great Family Escape promotion which encourages families taking holidays at Haven Holiday Parks to get in to reading. They'll get a pre-holiday reading pack with a free audio book, a reading welcome pack in their chalet, plus reading activities on site run by Haven staff. Families who go and join the public library at the end of their holiday will be entered into a prize draw.

Marmite are launching a major reading promotion at the end of August. It will be a big media campaign linked to 'love it or hate it' and stressing the power and benefits of reading.

The Iceland promotion has now closed - it generated over 100,000 redemptions of vouchers. All these families received the Iceland Horrid Henry booklet with library membership form included.

Follow up SCL survey

We'll be surveying SCL members during August to find the latest information about library led cross cutting reading strategies. We're meeting members of SCL in September to discuss the survey findings and agree next steps in supporting libraries to further this work.

A reminder that SCL and The Reading Agency suggested five things all library services might do following the National Year of Reading.

• Use NYR momentum to establish a cross cutting local authority reading strategy, supported by a high level steering group and co-ordinator
• Renew the push to get library reading work/outcomes featuring in Local Area Agreements. The Reading Agency's new training course 'Making Reading Count' supporting this will be running on 22nd October in Birmingham. For more details see www.readingagency.org.uk
• Use Reading For Life resources, including the new research base and local authority support materials, to target audiences most in need of support(www.readingforlife.org.uk)
• Review use of established national reading programmes like Summer Reading Challenge to reaching priority audiences
• If still requiring proof of address, work with the SCL Executive to agree simpler membership systems, and open the way to universal membership.

Through the Reading for Life website you can find lots of fun reading ideas and events as well as resources for professionals.

We are really delighted to be partnering with The National Literacy Trust to lead this venture. The other organisations who are supporting Reading for Life are:

Arts Council England
Booktrust
The Campaign for Learning
The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education
ContinYou
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
The National Youth Agency
The Random House Group
Scholastic UK
Volunteer Reading Help
plus local authorities across England.

We are also very fortunate to have the support of commercial partners including Wiseman Dairies, Iceland, Costcutter, Marmite, Walker Books.

At a SCL Executive meeting we reviewed the learning from the National Year of Reading, looked at the emerging 2009 picture and agreed next steps. We wanted to share those conclusions with you and you can download a summary sheet Libraries and Reading - what next?

We will continue to post updates on these pages so keep checking back.

We welcome people into our workforce who are enthusiastic, creative and have a passion for reading and the written word - in all its marvellous forms.

We don't have any job vacancies at the moment but if you would like us to email you with details of new job opportunities then please sign up for our job alerts

Interns

We run a regular internship programme and if you sign up for our intern alerts, we will email you when we are next recruiting.

Equal opportunities and diversity

The Reading Agency welcomes applications from people with an ethnic minority background and people with disabilities, as they are currently under represented in our workforce. Any disabled applicant who meets the criteria set out in the person specification will be shortlisted for interview.

We are committed to equal opportunities in all aspects of our work. We are committed to ensuring that no contractor, job applicant or employee is discriminated against on the grounds of race, colour, age, gender or gender re-assignment, nationality or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, parental status, political or religious beliefs, disability, marital status or trade union membership.

Please help us to make sure that we are meeting these commitments by filling out our equal opportunities information on our application form. We ask everyone who applies for a job as well as those who work for us to do this. Thank you for your help.

Liz Cleaver

When elected: March 2009

Professional background: Liz worked for the BBC for 25 years in a variety of roles from radio and television production to launching BBC Knowledge, the forerunner of BBC 4 and setting up the interactive capability for all factual and learning programmes. As Controller BBC Learning, she was responsible for all learning activity across the BBC. Main focus on delivering ambitious learning campaigns that aim to inspire and support millions of people to take action beyond the broadcast of BBC TV and radio programmes, community activity and work with partner organisations. These include RaW which aims to motivate people to improve their literacy skills, and Breathing Places, a campaign linked to the BBC's natural history output and encouraging mass participation in action to improve the local environment.

Why The Reading Agency: Passionate about reading.

A favourite book: An impossible question but when forced to choose it was To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. I first read it when I was 17 and became intrigued by her style.

Vice chair

Vivien Griffiths OBE

When elected: 2002

Professional background: I spent virtually all of my professional career as a librarian in Birmingham, where I specialised in work with children and young people. I was President of the Society of Chief Librarians during 2000-2001 and a Board member of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). I became an independent consultant in 2001 and since then, I have edited the Start with the Child report for CILIP and the Fulfilling Their Potential report for the MLA, as well as a variety of other commissions and conference presentations.

Why The Reading Agency: Reading and libraries have been a fundamental part of my life, since I was a child and it has been a pleasure and a great privilege to be a part of The Reading Agency's success.

A favourite book: Miss Garnett's Angel by Salley Vickers, partly because I live for part of the year in Italy and I love Venice, where the book is set and partly because its underlying message is that it's never too late to make a radical change in your life, which I find uplifting and inspiring.

Trustees

Malorie Blackman, author

Professional background: Malorie Blackman has written over 50 books for children and young adults, including the Noughts and Crosses sequence of novels (Noughts and Crosses won the Children's Book Award as well as being included in the top 100 of the BBC Big Read), The Stuff of Nightmares, Thief and Hacker.

Her work has appeared on screen, with Pig-Heart Boy, which was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, being adapted into a BAFTA winning TV serial.


In 2005, Malorie was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children's books. In 2008, she was then honoured with an OBE for her services to Children's Literature.

Why The Reading Agency:

A favourite book:

John Brown

When elected: May 2009


Professional background: I spent 20 years in the venture capital and private equity industry, latterly as the Deputy Managing Director of Cinven. I left Cinven in 2001 to spend time working in the voluntary sector and since then have been either the treasurer or trustee of a range of organisations including UnLtd, Box Clever Theatre Company, Evelyn Oldfield Unit, London Detainee Support Group, First Rung and Islington Boat Club.



Why The Reading Agency: I'm enthused by the exciting work The Reading Agency has done in such an important area.



A favourite book: Surviving The Killing Fields by Haing S Ngor - a gripping and uplifting true account of how one man came through terror with his humanity intact and the ability to develop a new life

Janene Cox, assistant director culture and libraries, Staffordshire County Council Library

When elected: June 2008

Professional background: I began my professional life as a librarian in the Central Library in Birmingham. I have also managed libraries in Northamptonshire and Staffordshire, where I became Head of Libraries in 2005. I really like my current job and working with my Heads of Service we have put together a really strong cultural offer for the people of Staffordshire.

Why The Reading Agency: The Reading Agency actively promotes and encourages reading and supports libraries to deliver innovative and creative reading programmes. This is something which I wanted to be involved in developing, steering and advocating.

A favourite book: Jamie Oliver, The Naked Chef, one that I constantly return to, that demonstrates the power of language and reading to stimulate, enthuse and to get you to do different things - and which you share with lots of other people!

Nicky Parker, head of transformation, Manchester City Council

When elected: From the beginning

Professional background: I managed libraries, the archives service, the County Records Office and the Library Theatre for Manchester City Council. I have been Chair of ASCEL, I am an elected member of the General Assembly of the University of Manchester and a member of the Advisory Council on Libraries. I am also a member of the Executive of the Society of Chief Librarians, chair the NW Youth Library Board and a member of the National Youth Library Board which is improving library services to teenagers. I have recently been invited to participate in the Secretary of State's National Review of Public Libraries.

Why The Reading Agency: I had been watching what The Reading Agency was up to for a while and really liked its collaborative creative approach.

A favourite book: An Equal Music by Vikram Seth because I'm a big music fan so this really appealed and some of it is set inside Manchester Central Library!

Joseph O'Reilly, head of education, Save the Children

When elected: May 2009


Professional background: I have over 15 years experience working for public interest organisations and causes. Originally from Australia I've worked in Asia, Africa, North America and the Caribbean and have been living in London for the last ten years. Most recently I've been working to support education and literacy in developing countries and this led me to establish First Read.

Why The Reading Agency: I share The Reading Agency's belief that reading can transform lives. Reading's had a transformative effect on me and I've seen how it's changed the lives of countless people around the world with whom I've worked.

A favourite book: My favourite books are the Fire novels by Henning Mankell. The books are based on the true story of Sophia an indomitable young girl in war-torn Mozambique. Written for young adults these books open up the world through an accessible story written with unflinching honesty.

John Readman, divisional director children and young people's services, London Borough of Lambeth

When elected: May 2009

Professional background: I am implementing the change agenda for children's services across a wide partnership of organisations in Lambeth. I have a keen interest and background in supporting literature and literacy development and was an active librarian for 15 years before taking up more senior roles in children's services.

Why The Reading Agency: I have always been passionate about what The Reading Agency does in supporting reader and reading development and in supporting libraries in the unique role they play.

A favourite book: Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf because this is a great book and by far Woolf's most accessible, and I have wonderful memories of being a student and reading it together with three fellow students in 24 hours, consuming much cake and wine on the way.

Jenny Stevens, freelance media/education consultant

When elected: May 2009

Professional background: A New Zealander, I trained as a high school teacher but have worked mostly in adult education. I directed a pioneering adult literacy scheme in London and co-directed the national Right to Read campaign. I then moved to the BBC to work on its first major adult literacy project and subsequently embarked on a TV production career. I was the first Head of Education at the BBC World Service. For the last 10 years I have worked as a freelance consultant and project manager, specialising in educational and literacy projects.


A favourite book: The End of the Golden Weather by Bruce Mason: a seminal piece of New Zealand literature. It evokes a childhood similar to my own, with the underlying theme of growing up and consequent loss of innocence - the golden weather.

Observers

The senior management team

Chief executive, Miranda McKearney

Director of HR, Penny Shapland-Chew

Director of Business Management, Peter Barker

Reading Agency people

Our work is undertaken by a network of skilled project workers and support staff. Some are employed by the organisation and others work on a freelance basis. The project managers responsible for each project are listed on the relevant project page so please get in touch with them if you would like any more information about our work.

You can also Contact us. We'd be very pleased to hear from you.

We would like to thank all the people who are supporting our work and helping us to open up the transformative world of reading to more people.

Trusts Foundations and Statutory

Arts Council England
Arts Council England - Grants for the arts awards
The British Council
Department for Business Innovation and Skills
Big Lottery Fund
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
Museums and Libraries Archives Council
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Rayne Foundation
v

Corporates

Bertrams
John Laing
Neilsen
Orange
Overdrive
Peters
Sony
Talis
Waterstone's

To find out more about our work and how you can get involved email fundraising@readingagency.org.uk

The Reading Agency specialises in creating national partnerships and connecting libraries to other agencies to help them widen the impact of reading. Partners range from government departments to corporate companies, the BBC to Disney and the TUC to publishers.

We support our partnerships with five creative tools - reading challenges, reading groups, author contacts, promotions and volunteering.

The Reading Agency reaches readers through partnerships with every local authority, broadcasters, publishers, workplaces, schools, prisons and youth services.

We have developed five creative tools to encourage reading and change lives. These are - challenges, reading groups, author contacts, promotions and volunteering.

We try new things out, like reading groups with a radio strand, or a new website to attract teenage readers.

We're used as a resource by people working directly with readers. We can provide training and advice as well as toolkits, websites and promotional materials.

We use our connections to join up organisations interested in promoting reading. For example, we help libraries form partnerships with major organisations like publishers and the BBC.

We have a research and events programme which leads to new evidence and thinking about the impact of reading. We're also active in public policy and advocacy, working with government departments and think tanks. And we're experienced at working with the corporate sector, through sponsorship or Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.

If you would like to work with us then we'd be delighted to hear from you - contact us.

If you want to know why we do the things we do see Our approach.

• The Reading Agency is an independent charity with a mission to inspire more people to read more.

• The Reading Agency believes that reading changes lives and benefits wider civil society and that everyone has a right to the equal life chances that come with being a reader.

• The Reading Agency aims to help children, young people and adults across the UK feel inspired and confident about reading. We particularly champion reading with children in their formative years, work with young people who find it difficult to develop reading skills and with adults who find reading a challenge.

"What stands out is The Reading Agency's passion for reading and readers." Kate Mosse, bestselling author

Our work

• The Reading Agency is the UK's leading development agency specialising in spreading reading through libraries.

• The Reading Agency works with every UK local authority and also reaches readers through broadcasters, publishers, workplaces, schools, prisons and youth services.

• The Reading Agency runs a number of high profile national initiatives such as the Summer Reading Challenge, and has developed five key tools to engage readers - reading challenges, reading groups, author contact, promotions and volunteering.

The Reading Agency and the Free Word Centre

The Reading Agency is one of the eight founder organisations that have come together at the Free Word Centre. The other founder organisations are Apples and Snakes, Article 19, Booktrust, English PEN, Index on Censorship, The Arvon Foundation and The Literary Consultancy.

Free Word is many things: a venue, a meeting place, an office space, a thinking space, a place of debate and risk taking, a window to the world, a robust voice for the word. At Free Word you will hear known and unknown voices, the expected and the unexpected, and will be encouraged to engage with debate and controversy. And for the first time literature, literacy and free expression organisations will be working under one roof.

There's a friendly cafe on the ground floor too so if you are passing by please drop in and see all the wonderful and exciting things that are happening in our home.