'Why we need an army of volunteers to help us get books to children in need across Leeds'
Tucked away in a warehouse in Holbeck is a project that is changing lives and fortunes of children across our city.
The team from Leeds Children’s Book Project are using the power of a good story to inspire some of the most disadvantaged young people in Leeds.
Figures reveal that one in ten children across the country do not have access to books at home.
But the Project aims to make sure it can get thousands of books into the hands of young people to help stimulate a love of reading and learning for a brighter future.
As part of the Yorkshire Evening Post’s new Leeds Reads campaign, which aims to spark a love of reading across the city, we are shining a spotlight on the vital work the team are doing every single day to inspire youngsters.
And we are backing their plea for more volunteers to join their growing army to help ensure that books can be sent to some of the most disadvantaged children across the city.
Laura Thompson, regional co-ordinator from the Leeds Children’s Book Project, said: "The volunteers we have in Leeds are invaluable to the work we do, and help us to get books out to children who need them the most in the surrounding areas.
“It's fantastic that the YEP has had an insight into our hub and is able to use its voice to help us gain more volunteers.
“We would love anyone with a passion for shaping children's futures and the ability to commit their time on a semi-regular basis, to register their interest."
Noemie Martinel from the Children’s Book Project told the Yorkshire Evening Post that they receive thousands of pre-loved and new books at their centre in Leeds.
But they need help to pack, sort and organise them ready to send them on their way so young people can start a new chapter.
She said: “We want to make reading more accessible for children. reading is a really crucial part of a child's growth.
“Yet one in ten children across the UK don't have access to books of their own in their own home.
“We receive donations of pre-loved books from the community and from donations of new books from publishers and we send those donations as gifts to schools and to the children who need those books the most.
“We have to sort, categorise, pack and that takes a lot of effort as we receive thousands of books. That is why our volunteers are so important to us.
“We get volunteers from corporate groups coming here as a team building day and we get community volunteers on their own to help out and we are very grateful.”
Caroline Harding from HSBC spent time at the centre this week alongside her team to volunteer and support the project’s work.
They worked to organise and pack the books to send on to local schools to help enrich learning.
She said: "We’re all avid readers ad wanted to help.
“I think for us volunteering is super important at HSBC and I can't think of a better way to spend my time with my team by volunteering like this.
"Local schools have put orders in and they will all be shipped out."
To get involved with volunteering contact www.childrensbookproject.co.uk/corporate-support/ or visit www.childrensbookproject.co.uk/community-volunteers/
Schools can also register to have books sent to their pupils and the Project prioritises those that have a pupil premium of 40% and above.
For more details visit www.childrensbookproject.co.uk/receive-books/receive-books-schools.