The Reading Agency

The Reading Agency is a national charity helping people to tackle life's big challenges through the proven power of reading to deliver a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life.

In 2021/22 we supported 1.9 million people through our work, our campaigning, our networks and our power to influence. We advocate for the transformative power of reading, we support universal access to this power through our programmes targeting those with the greatest need and we evidence impact on individuals and communities through robust research and evaluation that's ensures quality matches ambition.

Our high quality partnership programmes delivered through and with public libraries, prisons, education and health have truly national reach. We work with all ages and reach into every community in the country including the most disadvantaged to deliver the benefits of reading where they are needed most; improving skills and learning, promoting health and wellbeing, connecting communities and combatting loneliness whilst also inspiring creativity and engagement with culture.

Our work is driven by reading as a creative tool for social and personal change; harnessing its power to expand the way we think, to help us see things differently, to escape and empathise and to be the best we can be. We work with partners and communities to develop and deliver authentic programmes that are co-created to meet real need. We are committed to improving reading skills, engagement and confidence for everyone across all ages by working in a special partnership with public libraries delivering universal engagement supported by targeted reach in priority areas.

Our work delivers against key national priorities helping the country to build back better, level up opportunities, deliver Covid recovery and learning catch up, improve health and wellbeing, promote inclusion and diversity and build individual and community resilience.