Enterprise Mobility and National Literacy Trust donate over 1,000 books to children across Nottingham as book ownership falls to five-year low
- Children at 15 Nottingham schools will receive copies of Onkyeka and the Academy of the Sun
- Young people from less advantaged backgrounds twice as likely to not have any books at home
- Part of larger initiative distributing 25,000 books across the UK
Enterprise Mobility and the National Literacy Trust launch their third year of partnership by donating 1,195 books to children at 15 schools in Nottingham. This donation is part of a larger initiative distributing 25,000 books across the UK.
This comes amid findings from the National Literacy Trust that book ownership is at a five-year low among children and young people, with those from less advantaged backgrounds twice as likely to not have any books at home.
Tolá Okogwu’s Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun was chosen for this book drive. This captivating tale featuring a Black protagonist aims to promote diverse representation in children's literature, allowing young readers to see themselves reflected in the stories they read and providing a glimpse into the lives and experiences of those who may be from different backgrounds.
Accompanying the book donations are free classroom resources and videos hosted by Cbeebies presenter Gyasi Sheppy and actress Sarah Lewis Obuba.
Jason Vit, Head of Local Areas at the National Literacy Trust, emphasised the importance of fostering a love for reading among children: "Engaging children in the joy and fun of reading is an essential part of building those key literacy skills that will help them thrive at school, and for the rest of their lives. At the National Literacy Trust, we work across the UK in places facing the biggest challenges, including literacy levels. Through our partnership with Enterprise Mobility, we can reach more children who need the most support and fire their imaginations and love of reading with thrilling books like Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun."
Ryan Johnson, Managing Director for the UK and Ireland at Enterprise Mobility, said: “At Enterprise Mobility, we’re committed to supporting the communities where we operate, and we recognise the profound impact that access to books can have on a child's development and future opportunities. Through our partnership with the National Literacy Trust, we are addressing the concerning decline in book ownership among children across the UK. Together, we are working to inspire young minds, promote diversity in literature, and empower children to unlock their full potential through reading.”
Through their partnership, Enterprise Mobility and the National Literacy Trust have now donated approximately 75,000 books to children across the UK, fostering a brighter future through the power of literature.
This project is made possible by Enterprise Mobility's global ROAD Forward initiative, a £43 million commitment over five years aimed at advancing social and racial equity in communities worldwide, launched in 2020.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For further information, or to speak to Jason Vit from the National Literacy Trust please contact:
suzanne.kyle@theheromachine.com / 07970 050809
deborah.lewis@theheromachine.com / 07710 344370
Hi-res images available here: https://we.tl/t-uHeSOap7dF
Recipient schools in Nottingham include: Sneinton St Stephen's CofE Primary School, Warren Primary Academy, Ambleside Primary, Robin Hood Primary School, Brocklewood Primary and Nursery School, Mellers Primary School, Highbank Primary and Nursery School, Nottingham Academy, Greenfields Community School, Cantrell Primary and Nursery School, Whitegate Primary and Nursery School, Forest Fields Primary and Nursery School, Welbeck Primary School, Glenbrook Spencer Academy and Rufford Primary and Nursery School.
About the National Literacy Trust
Literacy changes everything. It opens the door to the life you want. It’s the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. It’s better results at school, and better jobs. If you grow up without the tools to communicate, without books to read or opportunities to write, it’s harder to get where you want to go.
We’re a charity helping people overcome these challenges and change their life chances through the power of words – reading, writing, speaking and listening. From first words, through school days to training, jobs and beyond. Together, we’re helping people change their stories. www.literacytrust.org.uk
About Enterprise Mobility
Enterprise Mobility is a leading provider of mobility solutions including car rental, fleet management, flexible vehicle hire, carsharing, vanpooling, truck rental, luxury rental, retail car sales and vehicle subscription, as well as other transportation technology services and solutions, to make travel easier and more convenient for customers. Enterprise Mobility, inclusive of its subsidiaries and franchisees, and affiliate, Enterprise Fleet Management, manage a diverse fleet of 2.3 million vehicles through an integrated network of nearly 9,500 fully staffed neighborhood and airport rental locations in more than 90 countries and territories. Privately held by the Taylor family of St. Louis, Enterprise Mobility manages the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo brands.