StorySpark Gloucestershire is a business backed storytelling campaign, aiming to reach 10k young readers across Gloucestershire for the National Year of Reading.
The Challenge..
In Gloucestershire, many children are growing up without regular access to books or reading experiences. Some do not even have books of their own, which can make reading feel distant rather than a natural part of every day life.
At the same time, rising screen time is competing with opportunities to read, making it harder for children to develop consistent habits and see themselves as confident, lifelong readers.
Encouraging children to engage with reading is becoming increasingly challenging, particularly as funding pressures limit access to resources and experiences that support early literacy.
Our part towards solving this ..
This campaign addresses this by bringing storytelling experiences and books directly to schools, supporting children’s reading and enjoyment.
We aim to reach 10,000 children, ensuring each child has a meaningful story experience and owns a book they have chosen from a carefully curated selection- something they can keep and treasure.
At the same time, this campaign helps Gloucestershire businesses use their marketing budgets for good and show real, measurable impact within the community. It connects businesses, schools and children in a simple, practical way.
To achieve this we have partnered with Gloucestershire based, Marketing for Good.
StorySpark
This campaign is all about giving children an immersive reading experience and a book of their own.
Children in KS1 we will be offering an interactive storytelling experience with the amazing Storytellers from Gloucestershire based Charity Read for Good.
For older children, bringing in an author adds a powerful new dimension.
We have already done author events with inspiring figures such as West End star Emma Swan and award-winning poet Matt Goodfellow, whose sessions captivate young audiences and leave them eager to start reading.
When children receive a book with an author experience, many go straight home and begin reading. With everyone sharing the same book at the same time, a sense of excitement builds across the school, drawing in even the hardest to engage!
From there a reading community begins to grow, giving teachers something meaningful to build on.
Teachers –
An email has gone out to all schools in Gloucestershire with further details. To register your interest please complete the form and return to sally@booksforbugs.co.uk or please get in touch direct if you haven’t been forwarded the information. All schools in Gloucestershire are welcome to apply.
We have an amazing bank of authors ready to visit and inspire your young readers.
Businesses –
By supporting this campaign, not only will you make an important impact on children’s reading experiences in Gloucestershire but you will receive professional content creation, providing powerful CSR Storytelling that you can share across your own marketing and communication channels from our partners at Marketing for Good.
In addition, we will actively promote your business as part of the wider campaign, shining a spotlight on your contribution and the impact you’ve helped create such as social media posts, PR and media coverage (Inc Gloucestershire radio) and branded logo placement.
To find out more please email sally@booksforbugs.co.uk and we can send you more information and schedule a call with Marketing for Good.
Please remember that schools vary in size, so whatever your budget, we can match you with a school and tailor a content package that ensures your sponsorship delivers meaningful impact in the community and rewarding content for yourselves.
We cannot wait to hear from you and get Gloucestershire children reading!