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COVID community archive collection A NEW community archive project has been launched by the South West Heritage Trust and Open Mental Health to collect people of Somerset’s stories and experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected their mental health. Contributions to the community archive can be submitted at swheritage.org.uk
TO CELEBRATE its 20th birthday, the Reading Agency has launched its ‘Transforming Lives Through Reading’ campaign to inspire the nation to get reading. Working in partnership with libraries, charities and other organisations, the campaign will celebrate the impacts of reading on health and wellbeing, social connection and life skills and learning. 2022 marks twenty years since the reading for pleasure organisation was founded by Debbie Hicks MBE, Miranda McKearney and Anne Sarrag. Since then, the charity has worked across the UK to prove the transformative effect reading has on people of all ages. The agency has launched a social media campsign, using the hashtag #ReadOn, encouraging the public to join in and share their stories of how reading has transformed their lives. Throughout the year, The
Reading Agency will deliver its longstanding programmes, including the annual Summer Reading Challenge for 4 to 11-year-olds; World Book Night, and its adult literacy programme Reading Ahead, along with special campaigns and projects with Sky Arts, Welsh Government and others. Highlights include: World Book Night - On 23 April, the annual celebration of reading takes place with public events across the country and a national book giveaway of 84,000 books - including this year’s Quick Reads titles through organisations such as health services, prisons, food banks and housing associations. Summer Reading Challenge and Teachers’ Reading Challenge - From June to September, The Reading Agency’s flagship programme for children will return with an accompanying challenge for teachers, inspiring them to read
Free education service from Wessex Water
SCHOOLS across the West can benefit from free expert lessons on water and waste, as well as guided tours of treatment sites, with Wessex Water’s free education service. With lesson content tailored for both key stages one and two, Wessex Water’s education advisers can cover a range of topics for your child’s class including the water cycle, river studies, human impact on the environment, water and sewage treatment and climate change. Parents are urged to spread the word to teachers to avoid missing out. Visit wessexwater.co.uk/education for more information, where parents can also download free resources for home learning.
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7 February - 28 March 2022
new texts to teach and share with their students. StoryTrails 15 cities - In July and August, as part of Unboxed: Creativity in the UK, The Reading Agency and partners such as the BFI will run a community-led immersive storytelling project which will tour 15 library authorities across the four nations, including Bristol, inviting people to reimagine local histories and share untold stories. Reading Well - young people’s booklist launch - In September, The Reading Agency’s clinically curated list of books which help young people to manage their mental health and wellbeing will be gifted to public libraries across the country. Go to readingagency.org.uk for details. Join in the conversation and follow the latest developments on social media: @ReadingAgency #ReadOn
Winter minichallenge extended THE READING AGENCY’S reading challenge has been extended to 20 February. To join in choose any book you like fact books, fiction, joke books, picture books, eBooks, audio books – the choice is yours. Each time you finish a book, add it to your personal profile page on the website. Add at least three books to your profile before the Mini Challenge ends to become a Wild World Hero and unlock your rewards. Visit your profile page and tap ‘Add a book to your profile’ to log your books. You can rate each book out of 5 and write a review to let everyone know what you thought. Download your Winter Mini Challenge Reading Record at summerreadingchallenge.org.uk to print out and keep track of your favourite books. Log your books online to unlock virtual rewards too and a certificate when you have. The website also has games and competitions to enter and book recommendations.
