Swindon Salvation Army tackle book poverty

The Salvation Army in Swindon Gorse Hill is giving away a free book to every child who visits its charity shop on Saturdays or during school holidays, to promote todays World Book Day.

The initiative is part of the Swindon Literacy Club, a community-driven project led by Hayley Purnell, Community Centre Manager at The Salvation Army, and Theresa Torr, the leader of the Salvation Army in Swindon. Both are trained Literacy Champions working with the National Literacy Trust to emphasize the importance of literacy in the early years of a child’s life.   

Also, at the foyer of the Salvation Army Hall is a children’s library where any children visiting the church and charity are welcome to choose a book of their liking and take home. 

Hayley said: “It’s heartbreaking to think that so many children in the UK don’t have access to books. Books are not just a source of knowledge; they open worlds of imagination and opportunity. We want every child to experience the joy of reading and to have a book they can call their own.”   

This World Book Day, The Salvation Army in Swindon is calling on the community to support its mission to ensure every child has access to books. Whether by donating books, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, everyone can play a part in helping children discover the magic of reading. 

The Swindon Literacy Club is also launching a new Breakfast Book Club this summer, designed to support families in the community. The club will begin each session with a healthy breakfast, easing the financial burden on parents who may struggle to provide meals. After breakfast, families will come together to share a book and participate in creative crafts inspired by the story.   

Hayley said: “This isn’t just about the children, it’s about empowering parents too. We want to show them how to engage with their children through reading and make it a shared, enjoyable experience. Literacy is a family affair, and we’re here to support everyone.”   

The Salvation Army’s efforts have already gained recognition, with Hayley and other Literacy Champions recently invited to the Mayor’s Parlour for a special thank-you event. However, the team is determined to do more to address the growing issue of book poverty in Swindon.   

As part of their ongoing commitment to the community, The Salvation Army in Swindon Gorse Hill will continue to offer support through its Kids Club, which welcomes up to 50 children during the summer, and other family-focused initiatives.   

Hayley said: “We launched our Breakfast Book Club last year during the summer holidays and had an additional Breakfast Book Club at Christmas where Father Christmas came in and read the nativity story to the children and then gave them a gift of a book supplied by the National Literacy Trust. The Breakfast Book Club is our initiative and is something that we wanted to do to promote the importance of sharing a book together.” 

With a commitment to compassion and inclusivity, the Swindon Gorse Hill Salvation Army continues to be a lifeline for those in need, ensuring no one faces life’s challenges alone.

For more information about the Swindon Literacy Club, the free book giveaway, or how to get involved, please contact Hayley Purnell at The Salvation Army Swindon Gorse Hill via their website: Swindon Gorse Hill | The Salvation Army.