On Friday, the 16th of August, families across Newcastle came together to enjoy football fun, community spirit and literacy activities together at special summer event.
United by Stories, created by the National Literacy Trust in the North East in partnership with Newcastle United Foundation, combined football and storytelling to inspire local children to fall in love with reading.
Hosted at NUCASTLE, Newcastle United Foundation’s state of the art community venue, the event welcomed over 300 children and their families for a jam-packed day of free activities designed for children aged 0-11, including:
- Penalty shoot-outs and football games with Newcastle United Foundation
- Football-themed storytelling sessions with children’s author and illustrator Louise Forshaw (Bad United series)
- Story character face painting, sensory play and crafts
- Drop-in support from over 15 trusted local family services, including Gateshead Libraries and Healthworks.
Every child in attendance took home a free book of their choice; part of the National Literacy Trust’s commitment to removing financial barriers to book ownership.
Research from the charity shows that when children enjoy reading, their reading comprehension, confidence, and wellbeing all benefit – equipping them with the skills and traits needed to thrive in school and later life. Yet, reading for pleasure is at an all-time low with only 1 in 4 children (28.6%) in the North East enjoy reading in their free time.
With children reporting that they are more motivated to read when books relate to their hobbies and interests, United by Stories harnesses the power of football, a shared passion amongst many families, to show that reading can be fun, social and connected to the things their children already love.
“We know that children are far more likely to enjoy reading when it connects to their interests and hobbies, or when it’s part of a shared social activity with someone they care about. We also know that having books at home is key and can have a noticeable impact on their reading enjoyment and skill.
“United by Stories is all about making stories feel accessible and fun, and providing families with all they need to develop a life-long love of reading that is so vital for their future.”
Linzi Winn, Project Manager at National Literacy Trust North East
“United by Stories was a brilliant opportunity to welcome local families into NUCASTLE to enjoy a day of fun, football, and storytelling. By combining the excitement of the game with the power of reading, we hope to show that stories are for everyone – and can inspire children both on and off the pitch. We’re proud to work in partnership with the National Literacy Trust to help spark a love of reading in our community.”
Lee Scott, Facilities Community Manager at Newcastle United Foundation
One local parent commented:
“My daughter is NUFC obsessed so the fact that today is about books and it’s at a NUFC venue makes it a perfect day out!”
A young girl, aged 9, commented:
“I picked the Ella Toone book because I love women’s football – I didn’t know there were books about football, so I’m excited to read this one!”
The day also showcased the power of local collaboration when building a stronger culture of reading across the region. Between football coaches, library staff and local authors, the event involved a range of role models to inspire children and break down barriers around reading.
To see more from the day and explore upcoming free family activities, follow National Literacy Trust North East on Facebook: facebook.com/NorthEastLiteracyTrust
