Over 90 children attended a book club organised by Wood Street Mission in October’s half-term break. Families attending the book club took home about 2000 children’s books donated by supporters, as well as food, dressing up costumes and school bags.
The clubs, which are held in children’s centres around Manchester and Salford, are aimed at improving reading and literacy among low income children and their parents. Held in holidays and half-term breaks, they allow children to choose and take home for good a large selection of books free and take part in various fun-literacy themed activities. Families attending the October book club also received a hot lunch.
Feedback from families attending the clubs was very positive. One young mum said after the morning out: “I really liked seeing my children playing with others. The books were fantastic and you were able to choose as many as you want. I was speechless!”
The school bags given out on the day were funded by the Brian Kennedy Trust which has supported Wood Street Mission over the past year. The Trust is currently funding the charity’s SmartStart initiative which helps struggling families with the costs of going to school. The charity aims to give out one million pounds worth of school clothes and kit to local families over the next four years.
Roseanne Sweeney, chief executive of Wood Street Mission, said: “It’s fantastic having the ongoing support of the Brian Kennedy Trust. Doing well at school is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and giving out school kit like these great school bags helps families in a practical way and means their children look and feel good on their way to and from school”
