National Literacy Trust  and Readconnect

One of the key aims for the National Year of Reading is to build systems and partnerships to embed lasting, meaningful change in the Criminal Justice sector.  The biggest barrier is getting resources into prisons and Young Offender Institutions.   NLT  deliver Readconnect, a family storytelling project, to dads and carers in HMP Brixton building on earlier workshops at HMP Downview and HMP Swaleside. The project aims to create and support family connections during periods of separation and boost the confidence of participants to read and write with their children.

In October 2026, The Stationers’ Foundation awarded a grant for family support in HMP Brixton.  £1,500 enables a story telling session at an upcoming family day, gifts 50 books to participants and their families and spreads the word about the National Year of Reading, and events for families online and in local areas which are reading activities core to the Stationers’ Company.

A participant who attended a workshop at HMP Downview said:

“ It was very energetic, loads of shared skills and it gave me confidence in communicating with my child and it gave n[me a good boost.”

The Foundation is pleased to support this literacy and reading initiative.