National Year of Reading
What is it?
The Department of Education has named 2026 the National Year of Reading in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust. This campaign aims to address the long-term, steep decline in reading among children, young people and adults across the UK as currently only 1 in 3 children and young people say they enjoy reading, with participation in daily reading falling to under 21%.
Who is the National Year of Reading for?
It is for everyone! Everyone can benefit from getting involved and reading more as the decline in literacy rates are seen across the population.
But what if books aren’t for me? That’s okay! Reading doesn’t just apply to traditional books, you can read anything from cook books, to manga to poetry – Reading is what you make it!
By framing reading as a powerful, contemporary activity, we hope to transform reading culture for good.
What is Leicestershire doing for the National Year of Reading?
Leicestershire is working together this year to Go All In, so checkout our external partners pages to see more about their plans:
Keep an eye out for the local events hosted by our partners and take part! The national events listing is available here
How can I get involved?
- Take on the challenge: Go All In this year and explore your love for reading.
- Don’t know where to start? Take a look at the Reading Agency’s variety of reading lists and see what appeals to you.
- Want to help others rediscover their love for reading? Volunteer your time this year, click here for more information
- Keep an eye out for the local events hosted by our partners and take part!
- To see how else you can get involved as libraries, schools, families, workplaces and more click here
For further Information, sign up below for regular updates from the National Literacy Trust