Hachette UK and National Literacy Trust announce Raising Readers partnership

18 September 2025, London, UK – As part of Raising Readers, Hachette UK’s urgent and long-term campaign to raise awareness of the decline in the number of children reading for fun, the publisher has today announced a new partnership with the National Literacy Trust.  The initiative will reach almost 4,000 children from schools in areas of socio-economic disadvantage, where the percentage of free school meals is higher than the national average. The partnership will also incorporate substantial donations of Hachette Children’s Group books and provide volunteering opportunities for Hachette UK colleagues.

The first of multiple Raising Readers partnerships brokered by Hachette UK, this new programme with the National Literacy Trust aligns with the goals of the Raising Readers initiative, focusing on boosting awareness of the life-changing impact of reading for pleasure.  The programme will run during the National Year of Reading 2026, a transformative initiative leveraging cross-sector expertise and networks to reignite a culture of reading for pleasure across the UK.

The Raising Readers programme will initially be delivered in four areas of the UK, including Manchester and Sheffield, to children and parents through fun reading events at primary schools, each receiving a premium membership to the National Literacy Trust. At every event, children will have the opportunity to select and keep a new Hachette Children’s Group book, donated by Hachette UK. In addition, there will be a workshop designed to equip teachers with the tools to engage their parent/carer networks and encourage reading together at home as a common and enjoyable practice.

Hachette UK staff volunteers will receive training from the National Literacy Trust to support designated events, with the goal of empowering Hachette UK employees to deliver additional events in schools or community settings across the UK.

David Shelley, CEO of Hachette UK and Hachette Book Group,commented: “Working closely with the National Literacy Trust is an integral part of our Raising Readers campaign. Reading for pleasure is the single biggest predictor of a child’s future life chances, so, as publishers, it’s vital that we provide as much long-term, meaningful support to children and their parents and carers as possible, to ensure no child is left behind. I’m so proud that Hachette UK volunteers will be a part of this initiative, and I’m excited to see this partnership grow as we work together on this shared mission.”

Hilary Murray Hill, Chair of Hachette Children’s Books and Raising Readers, said: “There is huge commitment to Raising Readers among all our colleagues, and this partnership is driven by that Hachette-wide engagement with the reading crisis.   There is a clear need for hands-on volunteering to support the work of the National Literacy Trust, and we are so pleased to be working with them.”

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “Only 1 in 3 children enjoys reading – the lowest levels in two decades. We can only change this story by working together to empower young people to discover the joy of reading and to grow a generation of readers.

“That’s why we are thrilled to partner with Hachette UK on their Raising Readers Programme. Through this initiative, and with the support of Hachette UK volunteers, we are giving children from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to explore the power of reading through reading for pleasure sessions, where they can choose books that excite and inspire them and engage parents and families to join in so they can support their children’s reading beyond the classroom.”

As part of Hachette UK’s year-round fundraising for the National Literacy Trust and to celebrate this partnership, on 4th September, Hachette UK’s divisions and its Wellbeing Network partnered to host a 10km walk and raised £1000 for the charity.