This is the biggest reading initiative the UK has ever seen, and it starts with you.
In 2026, the National Year of Reading will spark a nationwide movement to reconnect people with the joy of reading for pleasure. Our ambition is simple but bold: to transform reading habits for generations to come.
We believe reading isn’t something separate from everyday life - it’s a powerful plug-in to the things people already love. Sport. Music. Food. Gaming. Fashion. Family time. Reading helps us go deeper into our passions, expand our thinking and connect with others.
That’s why we’re asking the nation to Go All In.
Reading expands minds, builds confidence and fuels creativity. It improves mental wellbeing, life chances and future opportunity.
Reading for pleasure is in sharp decline, especially among children and families in disadvantaged communities.
Parents reading to children has fallen dramatically.
Young people increasingly see reading as schoolwork, not joy.
Millions are missing out on the lifelong benefits that reading brings. The National Year of Reading 2026 is here to change that.
Could give a child access to inspiring activity booklets and school programmes helping to develop their literacy and communication skills
Could help to train a volunteer to give parents the confidence and skills to develop their child’s literacy and communication
Could recruit a mentor to work with teenagers from disadvantaged communities, developing their communication skills
Could contribute towards our work across the communities that are facing the biggest literacy and poverty challenges in the UK
Could inspire a class of children to read for pleasure through a 10-week motivational programme working with sports stars or football clubs
Could enable us to recruit and train 10 volunteers – enough to help a class of young people from disadvantaged communities