Literacy changes everything. It builds knowledge, confidence, wellbeing and opportunity. Yet reading for pleasure is at a 20-year low, with only 1 in 3 children and young people enjoying reading in their free time.

 The National Year of Reading 2026 is a once-in-a-generation national movement to reverse this decline. Through the “Go All In” campaign, we are encouraging people of all ages to connect reading with the things they already love - football, family time, fashion, cooking, gaming or crafts.

 Our ambitious goal is to recruit over 100,000 new volunteers. Lead Literacy Champions are central to achieving this. You will coordinate a small network of at least two volunteers to plan, deliver and celebrate engaging literacy activities that make reading a regular and enjoyable part of everyday life in your community.

 What You Will Do:

 This is a flexible, creative role shaped by your knowledge of your local area. There is no single way to be a Literacy Champion. Activities could include:

-Running reading clubs, storytelling sessions or creativewriting workshops

-Organising book swaps, community bookshelves or family literacy events

-Partnering with schools, libraries and community groups

-Inspiring and supporting others to lead their own activities

You will volunteer in two key ways:

-Encouraging your network to deliver ideas that change attitudes towards reading.

-Sharing key resources and messages so more people can access support.

You will also track and report your impact so we can celebrate successes and inspire others.

Support You Will Receive:

You will not be alone. Every Lead Literacy Champion receives:

-Introductory training and a comprehensive handbook with ideas, tips and resources

-A dedicated National Literacy Trust contact for ongoing guidance

-A monthly newsletter with inspiration and updates

-Access to the Volunteer Portal to record contributions

-Reimbursement for agreed travel expenses

-Connection to a growing UK-wide network of fellow Champions

-We check in regularly to ensure you have the support you need to succeed.

Who We Are Looking For:

You don’t need to be a literacy expert. You need to believe that reading matters and want to make a difference in your community. You should be organised, approachable and comfortable coordinating a small team of volunteers. Experience of community work, events or group facilitation is helpful but not essential.

Time Commitment:

Flexible. We ask that you coordinate activities throughout 2026, with support to fit the role around your existing commitments.

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about helping your community discover the joy of reading, we would love to hear from you. Please contact The Project Officer for North East Scotland, Rashmi Bhattacharjee at rashmi.bhattacharjee@literacytrust.org.uk for an informal chat or to express your interest.

Together, we can change stories — one page at a time.