Working with Ipswich
LTR is working to change the 'Reading' culture in disadvantaged areas of Ipswich by:
- Attending local community events, we aim to reach families least likely to have books at home.
- Providing books into the community (including dual language books).
- Informing local organisations of the possibility that some customers and/or clients could struggle with reading.
- Campaigning to encourage a change of culture so that struggling readers ask for help.
- Engage businesses in supporting projects.
- Get books into homes.
- Attending community events.
- Talking to MPs, Councillors and other decision-makers.
We know these are long term challenges, which will not be solved by a short-term programme, however comprehensive. We are, therefore, developing a sustainable, relentless campaign in all the disadvantaged areas and aim to work with all key organisations.
Click the button below to collaborate with us, we'd love to hear from you.
Red Hat Schools Reading Festival
"Reading Gets You Ahead"
From 2024 we have been delighted to be a supporter of Ipswich Children's Book Group Red Hat Reading Festival. Following on from Chantry Book Jam which ran from 2017 to 2020, this initiative - which launched in 2023 -enables Ipswich schools to take part in a week long celebration of books and reading. Schools which would otherwise be unable to enjoy author visits are offered a wide selection of authors, illustrators and storytellers, funded and curated by ICBG, and are supported throughout the process to ensure maximum impact. This includes providing books by participating authors, delivering and collecting the authors, advising on how to host an author and create a real buzz around school.
To date around 4,800 children across 17 schools have enjoyed the experience of seeing and hearing a live author, leading to increased interest in reading and an upturn in books borrowed from school and public libraries. Former Children's Laureate, Joseph Coelho, encapsulates the effect thus: " I could feel the very palpable impact I was able to have as a visiting author."
A selection of authors who have taken part: Nick Butterworth, Lisa Thompson, Sophie Green, Beverley Birch, James Mayhew, Mitch Johnson.
"Without the reading festival, an author visit would not have been possible so we really value this opportunity to get our children interested in reading books, publishing and illustrating."
- English Lead Ranelagh Primary School
"I cannot sing the praises of the Red Hat Reading Festival highly enough...we are grateful to Ipswich Children's Book Group for including us in this excellent initiative."
- Librarian Whitehouse Primary School
