Winn Group is delighted to confirm its partnership with Byker-based literacy charity Seven Stories.

Focusing on improving reading rates and abilities across a region of the country with some of the lowest average reading rates on the national scale, Winn Group has funded the redevelopment of a purpose-built room at their Ouseburn location.

This will act as a space to host outreach sessions designed to target both children and adults who have been identified as struggling with literacy.

It will also host author-led sessions, with the desire to engage disaffected families in the locale and promote a love of reading, something that is vital to boosting future career prospects.

Winns is also funding the provision of staff to deliver outreach programmes in the community, aimed at finding those who perhaps can’t read or those who have fallen out of love with reading and reigniting their enjoyment of literacy so they can share that with their children.

Wendy Elliott, Seven Stories Chief Executive, said: “It’s unbelievably generous. We’ve had such a clear vision in terms of working with Byker but we’ve never had the opportunity to deliver it until Winns afforded us the chance, so we’re absolutely ecstatic.

“The team is excited to be starting the relationship and we can’t wait to get started.

“Everything we do supports children, young people, and families in reading for pleasure and the associated wellbeing that that brings.

“The support from Winns will allow us to create a really comfortable, welcoming warm space for families in our local communities.

“It allows them to experience storytelling in a space that is configured around finding time to read together and as part of a wider storytelling group.

“This beautiful building sits right on the doorstep of Byker and we’re working really hard, with the support of Winns, to introduce Byker to us.”

Rachel Dodds, Seven Stories Education Lead, said: “Here in the North East, we are, statistically, up against it when it comes to our reading levels.

“That’s why Seven Stories is key to unlocking our children’s future potential in terms of careers and life outside of this region.

“It is a dream of ours to really cement the community spirit in this building - this resource that Winn is providing is going to be key to that.”

Marta Fernandez Varona, Winn Group Chief Financial Officer and CSR Lead, said: “We are delighted to partner with Seven Stories. Their objectives align with our own CSR wishes, to make a tangible, positive impact on the prospects of children in our local community.

“Reading is an essential skill for anyone. By funding the redevelopment of the space, and the cost of the staff to deliver outreach programmes, we’re pro-actively supporting a cause that not only seeks to move the dial but also make a real difference in the lives of children and families in and around Byker.”