From Challenge to Change: Plymouth Charity Trust is Inspiring a Love of Reading

At Plymouth Charity Trust, our work is built on a foundation of care, stability and connection. For over 400 years we’ve supported people in Plymouth through times of difficulty, offering safe homes and a sense of belonging. Alongside our core mission, we occasionally have the chance to support special community projects that reflect our belief in the power of learning and shared experiences. One such project close to our hearts centres on something many of us treasure: a love of reading.

Books give us so much. They inspire curiosity, open windows into new worlds, and offer companionship in quiet moments. For children growing up in our city, having access to books and welcoming places to enjoy them can spark confidence and joy that lasts a lifetime. But in busy school budgets, creating inviting reading spaces or updating key resources can be a real challenge.

Earlier this year we were pleased to support a special initiative with Sailsbury Road, helping them bring fresh energy and opportunity to the way children connect with books.

At Sailsbury Road, teachers wanted to encourage pupils to enjoy reading not just as part of lessons, but for pleasure too. A once-underused room was transformed into a bright and welcoming library space with fresh paint, new furniture and carefully chosen books. Children were involved in designing the space, giving them pride and ownership over their new reading corner, and helping create memories as much as fostering literacy.

A Shared Love of Books, Across Generations

At Plymouth Charity Trust, we take so much pride in being able to give schools a little extra support to make reading feel joyful and accessible, planting seeds that may grow throughout a child’s life.

For many of us reading was part of how we first learned to make sense of the world, curled up with a favourite story, sharing a book with a grandchild, or returning to a treasured title later in life. When young people are given the space and encouragement to read freely, it builds confidence, imagination and connection.

We’re proud to have been part of this unique project, and grateful to the schools, staff and children who welcomed us into their learning journeys. Stories connect us; across classrooms, between generations, and throughout this wonderful city we call home.