£81 billion a year in lost earnings and welfare spending due to low levels of literacy.
Everything changes when you read.
We’re a UK charity with a mission to empower people of all ages to read.
Help change lives through reading
Reading for pleasure and empowerment makes us more aware and informed. It helps us grow our imaginations. It makes us more empathetic and understanding of other people and cultures. It supports our health and wellbeing. It increases our ability to learn new skills. It helps us to communicate our ideas more effectively. It opens doors. It brings joy.
Please donate to support our work.
Our Research
Research and evidence is central to helping us achieve our mission. We speak to people of all ages across the UK to understand how and why they read, the successes and challenges they face and how our work can make a real difference.
1 in 4 children don’t reach the expected level of reading by the age of 11
Featured booklist: Quick Reads 2024
Resources for Librarians
Latest opportunities from our publisher partners for schools and libraries
If you have a reading group with children or work in a school or library - we have some fantastic opportunities for you! If you…
Document Borders – Summer Reading Challenge 2024
Download these funky Marvellous Makers borders to create Summer Reading Challenge posters, activities and resources. All illustrations are by Natelle Quek and © The Reading…
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The Best Eid Ever - digital resources
A gorgeous picture book to introduce children to Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr written by acclaimed children's author Sufiya Ahmed with beautiful, colourful illustrations by Hazem…
City of Spies - digital resources
‘Another gripping, revealing historical adventure from Lawrence and well worth sharing.’ – Books for Keeps A thrilling spy adventure set in New York during the…
Latest News
Road to Reading returns after helping 1 in 2 improve their reading focus last year
The Reading Agency today announced the return of its highly successful Road to Reading initiative as part of the annual…
How To Get into Reading
If you’re someone who has always wanted to get into reading but didn’t know where to start, you’re in the right place! Read our tips to unlock the joy of reading.
The Booker Prizes Announce the International Booker Prize 2024 Shortlist
The International Booker Prize 2024 shortlist that ‘interweaves the intimate and political in radically original ways’ has been announced.
Library Facts
Explore key facts about libraries, including the numbers of libraries, the demographics of library users and the outcomes of using libraries.
Reading Facts
We want to create a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life. Explore UK-wide reading statistics and facts.
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