Children Reading for Life

08/10/2026

A new chapter for a much-loved telephone box! ☎️📚
Lovely to celebrate the opening of our community telephone box for books, with the Mayor cutting the ribbon to officially launch this wonderful project.
For me, Children Reading for Life is about helping children discover the joy of reading and making books part of everyday life. A familiar little landmark becoming a place to discover stories is a lovely way to bring that to life.
Thank you to Mary Peach, the Friends of Priory Pocket Park and everyone who helped make this happen. It’s a wonderful celebration of books, creativity and community. ❤️

09/09/2026

What a wonderful Arundel Festival 2026!
Here’s a snapshot of just some of the fun we had celebrating stories, poetry and the joy of reading with local children and families.
From storytelling at Ferring Country Centre and our family rhyme trail around Arundel, to some brilliantly creative entries in our children’s poetry competition, it was fantastic to see so many young imaginations at work.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined in and helped make it so special.
Arundel

01/09/2026

☀️ THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING SUMMER! 💙🧡

What a summer it’s been! From circus fun and storytimes to water play, crafts and countless happy moments, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make this our best summer yet.

🎪 Thank you to Nick Cook for bringing so much fun and laughter with his brilliant Circus Freeplay sessions.

📚 Thank you to Polly Atkinson, founder of Children Reading for Life, for sharing the magic of stories with us.

📖 And thank you to wonderful author and illustrator Christine Chambers for bringing her stories to life in the Pavilion.

A very special thank you also goes to our incredible staff and volunteers who have worked so hard throughout the holidays — in the Pavilion, at Water Play and right across the Centre. We couldn’t do it without you. 💙

And finally, thank YOU to every family and visitor who chose to spend part of their summer with us.

Every visit, coffee, farm ticket, activity and ice cream helps support our charity and the work we do with people with learning disabilities.

You didn’t just make some lovely summer memories — you made your summer meaningful. 🌱☀️

Thank you for being part of it. 🧡

26/06/2026

Local businesses have the power to change lives. By sponsoring a child and their family, you can help build confidence, create opportunities and inspire a lifelong love of reading.
A huge thank you to Jon Whittall for leading the way. Could your business be next? We’d love to hear from you.

22/06/2026

Polly’s Picture Book Group at The Aldingbourne Country Centre had a special session last week as they treated Polly to birthday cards and cake! Thank you all especially

26/05/2026

21/05/2026

The newly-elected Deputy Mayor of Worthing joined us (Cllr. Henna Chowdhury) as well as friends from Once Upon Again (local children’s bookshop) who donated a box of books for the children to choose from.

SO many adults were SEEN reading by the children...being wonderful role models as well as having some lovely reading time!

We hope to make it an annual event...and include picnics next time.

18/05/2026

13/05/2026

Next Wednesday 20th May, Children Reading for Life®️ is bringing BeSeenReading®️ Day to Victoria Park from 3.00–4.00pm
Supported by Heene CE Primary School, St Mary’s RC Primary School and Worthing High School, this community event is all about encouraging children to see reading as something enjoyable, social and part of everyday life
Reading ambassadors from Worthing High School will be joining pupils and families in the park to help champion reading for pleasure across the community.
Created by Children Reading for Life founder Polly Atkinson, encourages everyone from schools, cafés, sports clubs, businesses, parents and local residents to simply be seen reading whether that’s a book, comic, newspaper or magazine.

The event also supports the Government’s recent National Year of Reading “GO ALL IN” campaign urging parents to read more with children, something Children Reading for Life has championed since day one
📍 Victoria Park, Worthing
🗓 Wednesday 20th May
⏰ 3.00pm – 4.00pm
Bring a book and join us
LiteracyMatters NationalYearOfReading ReadTogether LoveReading CommunityReading BooksBringUsTogether Storytelling FamilyReading

20/04/2026