In the early eighties, researchers in Sheffield found that children who read regularly to their parents tended to do well in school. Obvious, perhaps, but it was equally obvious that children in local authority care could not have this form of help. So, I set up a small project in Essex to provide children in care with their own books – ten pounds’ worth at that time – and someone to read with them and hear them read. I opened a credit at a bookshop, the children came and chose their books, usually with their “key worker” as they were then known, and we paid the bookshop, so there was no way for money to be diverted.
The scheme depended on the quality of adult support, but overall it worked well, and made a strong impact on some children’s lives. For example, about four years after it had ended, a young lady stopped me on her way out of Colchester Institute library, and asked if I hadn’t been the man that had provided the books. I owned up, whereupon she said that it had been the one bright spot in a very difficult time in her life, and that she would always be grateful. A parent visiting his son in the children’s home we worked with noticed that he had new books, and wrote to thank social services for providing them (adding that he was not inclined to thank them for much else!)
A larger project, sponsored by Tory Laughland, founder of the Who Cares? Trust, a national charity for looked-after children, led to the publication of A Book of My Own in 1995. Elaine Williams' TES article on this project is here Sadly, Tory died shortly before it was published. But the idea is still important – children need books just as much as clothes and shoes. So, Garth Collard, former Deputy Head at Linton Village College, and I have founded a charity, A Book of My Own, to provide these children with their own books. Sue Hains, who leads Cambridgeshire County Council’s support team for children in care, has endorsed the scheme, and teachers on Sue’s team will provide guidance to carers and children, as well as helping with organisation.
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We have so far received donations that have allowed us to provide 22 children with grants of £30 each, in the form of book tokens which they use with guidance from their school or carers. Giving more children a book of their own will help them to see their education as something they in which they can invest and take pride. If you would like to help in any way, please get in touch via the links on this Weblog. Donations to A Book of My Own may be sent to 7 Symonds Lane, Linton CB21 4HY.