The National Year of Reading has been designed to inspire people of all ages to ‘go all in’ on the things they already love through reading in whatever way works for them – whether that’s magazines, graphic novels, print books or audiobooks.  

Sajeeda Merali, CEO, PPA said: “The PPA is proud to support the National Year of Reading. Magazine brands have a long-standing role in encouraging lifelong reading habits and engaging audiences of all ages. Through this partnership, we want to highlight the power of reading and the cognitive, emotional and social benefits it brings, helping to transform attitudes to reading, inspire curiosity, and better enable people to tell the difference between fact and fiction. We will be encouraging our members to pledge their support and get behind this very important campaign.” 

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust commented: “The National Year of Reading provides us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate the UK’s relationship with reading and change people’s life stories. Whether it’s a baby experiencing the magic of a picture book for the first time, a family listening to an audiobook on the school run, a teenager immersed in fan fiction, or an adult reading the football pages on their commute, reading is for everyone.”  

At the launch event, former Arsenal and England footballer Theo Walcott, author, producer, and TV presenter Richard Osman and children’s authors and illustrators Nadia Shireen and Jordan Glover joined local primary school children in a series of activities to spotlight how passions such as football can ignite a love of reading and lead to exciting jobs. 

Throughout the year, there will be lots of opportunities for individuals, families, schools, libraries, businesses and community and cultural partners to get involved with the National Year of Reading. 

The PPA will providing more details of how members can directly get involved in the coming weeks, but in the meantime more information can be found here.