As the UK celebrates World Book Day (Thursday 6 March), nearly 2000 children in Scotland have been helped to read thanks to a partnership between a housing group and a world music legend.
Thanks to the support of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Wheatley Foundation has distributed over 40,000 books to 1861 children under five in its communities.
The Foundation, part of Wheatley Group, has partnered with the charity set up by the country music legend since 2016.
Every month, the books are delivered free to children under the age of five of the registered social landlords within Wheatley Group in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dumfries and Galloway.
This includes 9305 books to 300 children living in Wheatley Homes South homes. Children in Wheatley Homes South properties started receiving books through the programme in July 2020.
Locharbriggs mum and Wheatley Homes South tenant, Leigh Stewart, 41, says her daughter, Callie, aged two, loves receiving her books.
She said: “I read one to her every night. It’s our bedtime routine. She also loves a story during the day. Her favourite is ‘My World, Your World’ by Melanie Walsh.
“Callie gets really excited when she gets her book every month. She’s a clever wee thing and she really looks forward to having a new story read to her.”Professor Paddy Gray OBE, chair of Wheatley Foundation, believes the partnership is making a real difference in the lives of young people in communities across Scotland.
He said: “This is a fantastic project and we’re so happy to continue being a part of it.
“It’s important to get babies and toddlers interested in books and reading from the very beginning.“It’s a great way for parents to bond with their children and teach them about the world, their culture and the culture of others.
“Wheatley Foundation signed up to the Imagination Library in 2016 and it’s astounding how many children we’ve been able to help over the past nine years.“It’s not just the youngsters who love the books, feedback from parents is always so positive. They get a lot of enjoyment out of reading the books to their children.”
To be eligible for these books, children must be aged up to five and live in a Wheatley Homes social housing property. Tenants wishing to register their child or children should speak to their local housing officer.
The Imagination Library project was set up by Dolly Parton in 1995 as a tribute to her father and to encourage a love of reading in children. It distributes two million books to under-fives in five countries, including the UK.
Wheatley Foundation helps thousands of people every year within communities across central and southern Scotland. Set up in 2016 with the aim of supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people, the Foundation delivers a range of projects including the Imagination Library.
