Lack of opportunity for literary experience to all kids. Low literacy levels in the pockets of deprivation in our area. Guildford has two of the four most deprived wards in Surrey, according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation. Children who come from 'book poor' homes on average have language development 10 months behind those in 'book rich' homes, and more than half of the children from disadvantaged backgrounds left primary school without reaching the expected standard of reading last year.

The charity will arrange visits into schools by authors and illustrators, who will inspire and support reading, literacy, poetry and illustration. The National Literacy Trust's research shows that the number of young people who enjoyed reading in their spare time jumped from 39% to 59% after an author visit, with the jump being larger for those on free school meals (36% to 59%), and writing in their free time also increased from 32% to 43%.