Helping children learn to read

The intention of the BOOKS FOR ALL Scheme is to support children who live in low-income families to enable them to develop their literacy skills and an interest in books.

Why the need for BOOKS FOR ALL?

Although low income families can borrow books from their local library and this should be encouraged!   A vital aspect of learning to read fluently and comprehensively is to read treasured favourites over and over again. This can only happen if a child owns the book.

Low income families can buy cheap books from charity shops, but when money is limited parents are more likely to pick up a book for their child if it is free.

Our BOOKS FOR ALL Scheme allows the children who need books to simply help themselves!

Expanding the BOOKS FOR ALL Scheme

We all know children copy who they see.  So, we realised that it is important that children see the adults in their lives reading for leisure and information. Consequently we quickly expanded the Scheme to include fiction and non-fiction for grown-ups.

BOOKS FOR ALL began in the summer 2006 with the help and hardwork of a volunteer Simon. There are now 40 distribution sites across the Scottish Borders.   Each community location has supplies of books which are specifically suited to the people who use the venue. These range from playgroups to out-of-school clubs, community centres, village halls, health centres, groups for elderly people etc.

We help a study group of African students in Edinburgh and we also supply thousands of books to ACTSA Scotland - Action for Southern Africa to help schools and colleges in various African countries.