Six volunteers from Peterborough were hosted by Her Majesty The Queen at a special garden reception at Clarence House, London, in recognition of their work and support of the National Literacy Trust, as the charity marks its 30th year. 

Student, Miss Jessica-Hollie Price, 17, from Jack Hunt School, part of Peterborough Key Academies Trust (PKAT), is part of the Youth Literacy Champion network in Peterborough enjoyed an afternoon with Her Majesty, the National Literacy Trust’s long-standing patron.

Since 2014, the National Literacy Trust has been working with the community in Peterborough to empower children, young people and adults with the literacy skills they need to get the most out of life.  Led by an on-the-ground team, the charity's work supports the development of literacy skills at school, at home and in the community – and the Literacy Champions play a vital role.

Miss Jessica-Hollie Price has volunteered for the National Literacy Trust for two years. At school, she’s a reading buddy, helping younger pupils with their oracy and reading comprehension, and she’s organised book hunts in her community that give families around Peterborough the chance to find a book to take home to keep.

Miss Jessica-Hollie Price said: “This opportunity provided me with the chance to talk to poets and authors whose work I have enjoyed studying in my subjects. I feel inspired to continue the work I do as a youth literacy champion and help improve literacy in my community as it a way to unite the community.”

As part of her school volunteering, Jessica-Hollie has supported younger students – some of whom have English as an additional language – with studying for their English exams, which is valuable experience towards her future: she wants to be a teacher.

Mr Tim Perkins, Assistant Head Teacher of Jack Hunt’s Sixth Form said: “Jessica is an exemplary student who is passionate about reading and literature of all different genres. She has excelled this year in her work with the National Literacy Trust, using her drive and commitment to support many younger learners with their reading but also sharing her experiences with education practitioners through the NLT. We are thrilled that Jessica got the opportunity to go to Clarence House for the day and meet the Queen Consort, it is very well deserved.”

Also in attendance were Literacy Champions:

• Susan Sheriff, who works for children’s charity Family Action. She gifts books at events and is joined up with Woodfield Park food bank and the Holiday Activity Fund to provide books for children who use those services. She’s recently trained as a Lead Literacy Champion, which means she will plan and host her own literacy events in the community.
• Marianne Hill who works at the Cancer Wellbeing Centre at Peterborough City Hospital, hosting a lending library so people living with cancer and their families can access books.
• Deborah Cobb, a nursery manager in the city. She’s regularly provided digital content for the National Literacy Trust in Peterborough to share early years content for parents, including Makaton words and phrases. She’s also linked up with Broadleigh Nursing Home to foster intergenerational activity sessions between children and elderly residents.

Jonathan Douglas CBE, CEO at The National Literacy Trust, said: “Today we mark 30 years of The National Literacy Trust by celebrating our dedicated Literacy Champions with our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen. Over the last three decades, their commitment and embodiment of our mission has helped us inspire and empower over five million children. With their support, we can continue our important work in Peterborough to change life stories through the power of literacy."

More than 60 Literacy Champions from across England and Wales were invited to the party in recognition of all they do to support and improve literacy where they live.  From bus drivers to teachers, midwives to librarians, there are currently over 1,000 Literacy Champions volunteering across the UK. 78 of them are making a difference in Peterborough.

Over the past three decades, the National Literacy Trust has been supporting schools, families and communities on a local and national level to raise literacy levels. It now works directly in 20 areas across the UK – including Peterborough – where poverty and low literacy are significantly impacting on people’s lives. It is in these communities that the biggest difference can be made and the charity is as committed as ever to empower them to change their stories.