CVS Inverclyde Goes All In for the National Year of Reading
CVS Inverclyde is proud to be a Pledge Partner of the National Year of Reading 2026, supporting the Go All In campaign to help more people across Inverclyde reconnect with the joy of reading.
The National Year of Reading is a UK-wide movement driven by the National Literacy Trust, encouraging people of all ages to make reading part of everyday life. It highlights the important role reading can play in building confidence, creativity, connection, wellbeing and lifelong learning.
Inverclyde is one of the campaign’s areas of focus in Scotland, and we have been working closely with the National Year of Reading Scotland team to help connect the campaign with local communities, organisations and volunteers.
As a third sector interface, CVS Inverclyde is helping to bring the campaign into local spaces where people can take part, share ideas and discover new ways to enjoy reading. Through the partnership, we have already supported a range of activity across Inverclyde, including a free book giveaway at West College Scotland during Volunteers’ Week. The event encouraged students to pick up a book, speak with others and learn more about reading for pleasure.
We also supported Tales from the Terrace, a family fun day that brought people together through stories, activities and community connection. These local events have helped make the campaign visible, accessible and relevant to people of different ages and interests.
Volunteers have also played an important part in the partnership. CVS Inverclyde has helped recruit six new Reading Champion volunteers to support the campaign locally, strengthening community involvement and creating new opportunities for people to share their time and skills.
Our own team has also been getting involved. At our staff development day in August, we hosted an employee book swap, giving colleagues the chance to share books, start conversations and take part in the campaign in a simple, practical way.
The Volunteering Team also had the honour of attending the Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse alongside the National Literacy Trust National Year of Reading team. The event was a valuable opportunity to celebrate the partnerships helping to improve access to reading and literacy opportunities across Inverclyde.
Most recently, Maggie Farrell from the National Literacy Trust met with our Project Lead, Tony Lockey, to discuss how volunteers can help promote reading and literacy in Inverclyde over the Christmas period. Some exciting ideas were discussed, and books were donated to Wemyss Bay Library to further support the development of the new children's corner.
It has been a pleasure to support the campaign and to see how national activity can be brought to life through local partnerships. The National Year of Reading Scotland team shared the following feedback on working with CVS Inverclyde:
CVS Inverclyde have been a fantastic support to the National Year of Reading Campaign. Through them we have been able to reach so many different grassroots organisations across Inverclyde and get to know the people who can make a real difference in their communities. Working together, we hope to inspire a new generation of readers and re-ignite a love of reading for pleasure across all age groups and communities in Inverclyde.
Susan Calcluth, Scotland Lead, National Year of Reading
Local organisations, community groups and residents can still get involved by supporting Go All In activities, sharing reading opportunities, encouraging volunteers, or creating simple ways for people to enjoy books, stories and conversation in their own communities.
You can find resources and recommendations on the Go All In website, or contact admin@cvsinverclyde.org.uk to find out more about getting involved locally.