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Five school communities across Wales have been selected to participate in a new book access programme. The primary schools involved include Clwyd, Brynmill, and Llanrhidian in Swansea, alongside Pencoed Primary School in Bridgend and a community near Risca, close to Newport. This initiative is designed to assist parents and children in obtaining books, particularly important during the ongoing cost-of-living challenges.
Parents participating in the scheme have shared positive feedback about its impact. Becky, a 38-year-old mother from Swansea, spoke about how her nine-month-old daughter, Phoebe, will benefit. She expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We love it, we think it’s amazing. I’ve got another little girl as well, Faith, and since she was a baby, we’ve read to her, and she is thriving now.” She added that her older daughter eagerly looks forward to receiving a new book each month in the post, appreciating the regular delivery of reading material. Similarly, Diana Cune, a 34-year-old mother of three, highlighted her commitment to encouraging her children to read, remarking, “I always tell my girls that knowledge is power and books are the key to unlock that.” She described the project as a wonderful opportunity for the community, emphasizing how fortunate the children are to be part of it.
The programme is a collaboration between The Dollywood Foundation UK and Community Focused Schools. Helena Barrett-Duncan, regional director of the foundation, expressed a desire to expand the scheme more broadly across Wales. She remarked, “We want every child in the UK of course, but we would really love to bring this programme across Wales.” She further explained, “This is the beginning… the dream would be where every child in Wales would get this monthly gift of books.” Helena noted that the charity is working towards including Welsh language options within the programme, with one bilingual book already part of the offering.
Support for reading as a core educational goal was reiterated by the Welsh government, which emphasized the importance of schools fostering a lifelong love of reading among students. The government stated that ensuring a dedicated library space in every primary school remains a priority to encourage reading for pleasure. They also highlighted ongoing funding for literacy projects such as Love Reading Cymru and the Summer Reading Challenge, aimed at promoting enjoyment in reading. Their Ymgolli campaign further seeks to inspire young people to appreciate the value of reading in diverse forms
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