Young people in Norwich face some of the worst prospects nationally: 1 in 3 children live in poverty, and social mobility is ranked the second worst district nationally by the Department for Education. Reading and writing for pleasure have proven lifelong benefits. Yet just 11% of children write daily and 28% read, down from 43% in 2015 (National Literacy Trust). At age 11, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are below expected reading and writing attainment in 11 of Norwich’s 13 wards.

Norwich is England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. We believe in a city where no child’s future is limited by unequal access to reading and writing. In 2026, the National Year of Reading, we will provide 4,000+ children across Norwich with free activities at our Literature House and beyond: Family storytelling sessions, hands-on writing with authors, Norfolk-wide writing prize and more. All designed to spark confidence, creativity, boost wellbeing, and nurture a love of reading and writing.