refuge in literacy uk
London
Refuge In Literacy UK began when children’s author Anne Stairmand donated signed
copies of her books to a local domestic violence refuge at Christmas 2020. The
response was so positive she wondered if this would be the case throughout the
UK, and so she spent the following January and February speaking to over 300
refuges in the UK asking whether authors donating signed copies of their books
to their local refuges would make an impact. From the joy of receiving a
personal gift, to the simple joy of reading, to the educational, emotional and
self-improvement opportunities books can present – which in turn can create
empowerment and self-esteem – it was clear these books would have an impact.
Children will have a sense of value, worth, self-esteem … They will harness a
willingness to read, to learn, to savour the process of reading, escapism and
transformative powers of a book. — Thurrock Changing Pathways Essex, 2021 Refuge
In Literacy UK is also aiming to address a lack of consistency in literacy
resources and training by supporting refuges with reading strategy prompts which
feed into the National Curriculum. Our pilot refuges, currently nine across the
UK, will help trial these, and evaluations will help us refine and improve. The
wider benefits of a signed personal copy of a book cannot be underestimated,
encouraging children and parents to become literacy confident in reading,
writing and comprehension. — Glasgow Women’s Aid, 2021 We are a board of six
directors and have seven board advisors with expertise in many different areas
who attend meetings to support and advise throughout the year. The personal
benefits of having a newly, personally signed book, creates a sense of
empowerment. However, the benefits transcend far beyond the token of a personal
gift. — Liverpool Women’s Refuge, 2021 As we are a non-profit organisation, the
board are committed to helping those in domestic violence refuges to improve
literacy life chances in for those in education and in the wider world.
