Search What we do Resources News and information Support us About us Donate Join us | Login About us We are an independent charity dedicated to giving disadvantaged children the literacy skills they need to succeed. We are dedicated to raising literacy levels across the UK. We work to improve the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the UK's most disadvantaged communities, where one in three people have low levels of literacy. Our research shows that during the initial school closures in 2020, 3 in 5 children and young people said that reading made them feel better. 3 in 10 said that reading helped them when they feel sad because they cannot see their family and friends. Because low literacy is intergenerational, we focus our work on families, young people and children. What we do We help to transform lives through literacy. We establish literacy projects in the poorest communities Our National Literacy Trust Hubs inspire and support children and families to improve their literacy skills We support schools We share our analysis, promote best practice and offer programmes and resources for schools and early years settings. Find out how to become a member We campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and parents Our Words for Life website provides advice, age milestones and free activities for parents and families Our research and analysis make us the leading authority on literacy Our research underpins our programmes, campaigns and policy work and informs our identity as an organisation Our impact Last year: We supported the literacy of 268,490 children through our programmes and activities. We gifted 196,161 free books through our programmes and community-based activity, including during lockdown. Our new Family Zone platform helped 400,000 parents support their children’s literacy during the COVID-19 lockdown. 97% of teachers who took part in our Literacy for Learning programme said it improved their understanding of disciplinary literacy. Find out more about our work in our impact report. Our Patron, trustees and ambassadors Our Patron Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall became our Patron in November 2010 and has a long standing interest in literacy and reading. Learn more Trustees The National Literacy Trust is governed by our board of trustees, who come from a range of sector backgrounds. Learn more Ambassadors We have a number of ambassadors who generously donate their time to support and raise awareness for our work. Learn more Success stories Find out more about the people our work supports. SUCCESS STORY Books help Helen bond with her premature baby Helen’s baby, James, was born at 28 weeks old, weighing just 2lbs. We provided Helen with books and advice on reading to her premature baby while he was in hospital. View details SUCCESS STORY Young Readers Programme inspires Tom to read at home Nine-year-old Tom took part in our Young Readers Programme at King’s Oak Primary School in New Malden, where he learnt ways to choose books he will enjoy. View details SUCCESS STORY Words for Work helps Haydn prepare for his future Haydn, aged 15, was selected to take part in our Words for Work programme when he was in his final year at Bishop David Brown School in Woking. View details Get in touch Contact us Careers and vacancies Find out about working for the National Literacy Trust and see our latest job vacancies. View details Staff Find out who we are and what we do. View details What is literacy? Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world. View details Impact report 2020 View details Advertising opportunities Advertising with the National Literacy Trust can provide your organisation with a unique opportunity to access engaged literacy professionals. Find out more Latest news 24 Nov 2021 Burberry and Marcus Rashford MBE pledge support for our work on school libraries 24 Nov 2021 Matt Haig hosts an exclusive school event for the film adaptation of A Boy Called Christmas 16 Nov 2021 We announce our Christmas fundraising appeal to give the gift of reading this season Become a member of the National Literacy Trust Create a free account Contact us 020 7587 1842 contact@literacytrust.org.uk Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube © National Literacy Trust 2017 Made byHactar Sign up to our newsletter Accessibility help Terms and conditions Privacy policy How we use cookies The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL.