2026 is the National Year of Reading – a government-backed campaign to reverse the alarming decline in reading for pleasure across the UK. Chapter One is proud to be a lead delivery partner for this campaign, and our corporate partners are crucial to its success.

Our commitment: We're committing to recruit 1,000 additional volunteers in 2026 to transform children's literacy. Last year we supported 3,000 children – this year we're growing our impact by a third.

This toolkit provides ready-to-use communications materials to help you engage your employees and showcase your support for this national moment. From email templates to talking points to social media content, these resources make it easy to mobilise your workforce and demonstrate your commitment to transforming children's futures through the power of reading.

Images and logos

Images can be found in this Dropbox folder. If you require any other images, please email Isabel Davies, our Social Media and Communications Officer, at isabel.davies@chapterone.org.

1. Talking Points for Volunteer Coordinators

When recruiting volunteers:

"The National Year of Reading 2026 is a government-backed campaign to reverse the decline in children's reading for pleasure. We're part of it through our partnership with Chapter One."

"Only 1 in 3 children aged 8-18 enjoy reading now - the lowest level in 20 years. Many don't have anyone at home to read with regularly."

"This isn't just about reading skills - it's about being a consistent, encouraging presence in a child's life. For many of these children, our volunteers are the additional 'reading influencer' who helps them discover that reading can be enjoyable."

Making the business case (for senior stakeholders):

"Recent research from the National Literacy Trust and KPMG shows that reading for pleasure in childhood develops exactly the skills our future workforce needs - adaptability, critical thinking, and a lifelong learning mindset."

"Our volunteers aren't just helping children read better today - they're laying the groundwork for the curiosity, resilience and love of learning these children will need throughout their lives and careers."

"This partnership aligns our values with genuine workforce development. We're investing in the future talent pipeline whilst making a measurable difference in our communities right now."

2. Email Template: Volunteer Recruitment

Subject: Join the National Year of Reading - volunteer with Chapter One in 2026! 📚

Dear [EMPLOYEE NAME],

2026 is the National Year of Reading - a government-backed campaign to reverse the alarming decline in children's reading for pleasure. We're part of it through our partnership with Chapter One, and right now, there are children waiting for volunteers to help them build confidence and discover the joy of reading.

Watch the short 1 min video showing the joy and impact of being a Chapter One online reading volunteer

We're offering you the chance to be part of this important campaign! Sign up to become an online reading volunteer and use 30 minutes of your week to make a direct impact on the lives of young children facing disadvantage.

How does it work?

• You’ll be paired with a primary school pupil aged 5-8

• You and your paired pupil will enjoy a weekly 30-minute online reading session via the secure Chapter One platform

• Chapter One will support you through the DBS (background) checks and training

• Your commitment is for an entire academic year (until July - approx 15-20 sessions)
  

Watch ** this video** or visit the Chapter One website to learn more.**

[INSERT COMPANY-SPECIFIC CALL TO ACTION - e.g., "Sign up through our volunteer portal" or "Contact [COORDINATOR NAME] to register"]

Together, we can help transform children's futures through the power of reading.

3. Internal newsletter/Intranet snippet

[COMPANY NAME] Goes All In for National Year of Reading

2026 is the National Year of Reading - a government initiative to tackle declining literacy and get the nation reading again. With only 1 in 3 children enjoying reading (the lowest in 20 years), this campaign couldn't come at a more important time.

[COMPANY NAME] is supporting this national effort through our partnership with Chapter One, a lead delivery partner for the campaign. Our employees can put themselves forward as online reading volunteers, spending just 30 minutes weekly with a child who needs extra support over the course of a whole school year.

It's flexible, meaningful, and part of a movement to change reading culture across the UK. Find out more about volunteering [LINK].

4. Sample Social Media Content (Internal Channels)

**For intranet:**

📚 Did you know only 1 in 3 children aged 8-18 enjoy reading? This January, the National Year of Reading launches to change that. [COMPANY NAME] is supporting the campaign through our partnership with Chapter One. Find out how you can volunteer: [LINK]

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🌟 Be part of something big this year!. The government's Year of Reading campaign launches this month, and [COMPANY NAME] is playing our part. Become an online reading volunteer and spend 30 minutes weekly helping a child discover the joy of reading: [LINK]

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📖 New year, new opportunity to make a real, personal difference to a child. Join [COMPANY NAME] colleagues in supporting the National Year of Reading 2026 by volunteering online with Chapter One. No teaching experience needed - just 30 minutes a week. Learn more: [LINK]

5. Sample LinkedIn Post (Company Account)

**For posting around official January launch:**

At [COMPANY NAME], we believe literacy transforms lives and communities. That's why we're proud to support the National Year of Reading 2026, a government-backed campaign to reverse a worrying trend: only 1 in 3 children aged 8-18 now enjoy reading - the lowest level in 20 years.

This is about more than reading levels. Recent research from the National Literacy Trust and KPMG shows that reading for pleasure in childhood develops exactly the skills our future workforce needs - adaptability, critical thinking, and a lifelong learning mindset. In our digital-first world, these capabilities are essential.

We're partnering with Chapter One, a lead delivery partner for the campaign, to mobilise our people. Through their Online Reading Volunteers programme, our employees spend 30 minutes each week with children who need extra support - becoming the crucial "reading influencer" who shows up consistently and helps lay the foundations for lifelong curiosity and learning.

Transforming reading culture is an investment in the future workforce, thriving communities, and a society equipped for the challenges ahead.

How will you meet the National Year of Reading 2026? We're 'going all in'.

#NationalYearOfReading2026 #GoAllIn

Watch this space! We'll be updating this toolkit throughout 2026 with more posts and ideas.

Questions?

To discuss with us ways in which your organisation can get involved with the National Year of Reading, please contact Roxanne Welch, Corporate Partnerships Manager, roxanne.welch@chapterone.org.

For communications support or to access Chapter One brand assets, please contact Isabel Davies, Social Media and Communications Officer, isabel.davies@chapterone.org.