As August draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on our biggest summer of events yet! Our Not So Secret Book Club sprang up all across Gloucestershire, here’s a sneak peek of what we got up to:
Summer Highlights at a Glance
- We brought our Not So Secret Book Club to 25+ events, including HAF Activity Days, Family Hub Play Days and even the Reading Festival of one of our partner schools!
- We gave away 2000+ new and pre-loved books for children, and their families, to enjoy at home!
- The Read With Me team, including our brilliant volunteers, provided fun and free activities for nearly 2500 young people!
But the real magic isn’t in the numbers, it’s in the memories that children take home, alongside the books, bracelets and Mad Hatter’s top hats!
What is a Not So Secret Book Club?
Our Not So Secret Book Club is a free, half-day event designed for families with children of all ages, from tinies to teens. Usually held outdoors and packed with fun, each session offers:
- Treasure hunts with a fun bookish twist
- Creative arts and crafts inspired by children’s favourite stories
- Plenty of story time
- Free books to take home and enjoy
We often bring a pop up version of our Not So Secret Book Club to events across the county, usually with a special theme!
How can I get involved?
Our volunteers make our sessions possible. We’re always looking for extra hands to tie bracelets or hide treasure hunt clues! If you’re already a reading volunteer and would like to get involved in our events, please email Michelle at Volunteer@readwithme.org.uk to discuss your availability.
If you’re not already a part of our wonderful volunteer community, visit our dedicated page for volunteers and get in touch if you think volunteering might be for you:
- Email volunteer@readwithme.org.uk
- Call 07880 288395 (weekdays)
- Call 07791 110906 (evenings and weekends)
What’s Next?
Though the summer may be nearly over, our work to improve children’s literacy in Gloucestershire continues.
- Our weekly reading sessions will resume when school starts again in September, helping children to improve their literacy skills and build their confidence.
- We will also be continuing our Rhyme With Me sessions, to help reception children develop their speech, language and rhythm through songs, stories and games.
- Keep an eye on our social media pages for upcoming Not So Secret Book Clubs as well as other events!
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to keep up to date with what we’re doing!
