Over 35% of all UK adults are now lapsed readers.
The Big Give 2024: Turning The Page
This year, we’re joining the Big Give 2024 Christmas Challenge and we need your support. Donate to our campaign between 3 and 10 December 2024 to have your donation, and your impact, doubled.
Can you help us hit our target and double the impact for adults learning to read? Sign up to The Reading Agency Roundup to get updates and reminders for the Big Give.
The Situation
Low literacy does not just limit access to the joy of books, this crisis robs people of life’s basic choices and chances. It creates huge obstacles in navigating simple daily tasks, from completing job applications, understanding medical information, or supporting their children’s education.
With so many adults in the UK lacking vital literacy skills, we want to empower people to unlock the life-changing power of reading.
The Solution
Our programmes have helped hundreds of thousands of readers grow their skills and confidence. These include Reading Ahead, our inspirational adult reading challenge, and Quick Reads – short, accessible books by bestselling authors, prioritising great story telling and adult-focused content, ensuring the books are written in an accessible and easy to read style.
Working with public libraries, prisons, colleges, hospitals, community and adult learning organisations we reach those who need our help most.
8.5 million people struggle to read and comprehend the written word
Non-readers are 28% more likely to report feelings of depression.
£81 billion a year in lost earnings and welfare spending due to low levels of literacy.
Campaign Aims
- Reach 100,000 adults struggling with literacy, to help them gain skills, confidence and access to reading’s enriching benefits through our with our proven adult literacy programmes Reading Ahead and Quick Reads
- Work with prisons, public libraries, colleges, adult community learning centres, hospitals, community centres and workplaces to ensure our programmes are accessed by those most in need
- Create a world where everyone can access the power of reading, because everything changes when you read
How it works
It’s time to #TurnThePage on low literacy.
Donate now and double your impact. Together, we can help adults across the UK unlock their potential.
Sign up to The Reading Agency Roundup to be reminded before the campaign starts.
Online Auction:
Limited, Signed Deluxe Edition of Haruki Murakami’s New Novel
We’re excited to present a very limited, signed and numbered deluxe edition of Haruki Murakami’s latest novel for auction to support our Big Give fundraiser. This one-of-a-kind collectible is designed for art and book lovers alike and offers a unique opportunity to support our work to improve adult literacy across the UK.
About the Item
Murakami’s The City and Its Uncertain Walls swiss-bound and presented in a striking Perspex case with an egg-shaped cutout, referencing themes from Murakami’s dream library, plus a custom quarter-bound, sewn notebook decorated with connecting egg shapes.
Created by award-winning designer Suzanne Dean
Illustration by Nomoco
Calligraphy by Keiko Shimoda
Why Bid?
Each bid supports our mission to make reading accessible to everyone, especially adults facing literacy challenges. Every pound raised through this auction will be matched during the Big Give campaign, doubling the impact of your generosity.
Don’t miss out on this rare chance to own a Murakami masterpiece and make a difference for those in need of reading support.
The book was generously gifted to us by Murakami and Vintage Books to help us raise vital funds to support adult literacy.
“Concentration is a problem for me so I find it hard to stick to books. I read a couple of chapters and then stop. I read this in one sitting and it has made me more confident to start back to reading again. […] Now I am less daunted at starting a book.”
– Quick Reads reader with low reading confidence
“I enter the challenge to improve my English and found that reading take me to a different world. I liked being able to experience all these different emotions that books gives me. Reading Ahead makes me want to read more often to develop new skills as well.”
– Reading Ahead participant
Join our mailing list
Get our newsletters to stay up to date with programme news, resources, news and more.
