Local volunteers go from sharing stories across Swindon to cake with the Queen at Clarence House

On Monday, six volunteers from across Swindon were hosted by Her Majesty The Queen at a special Reception at Clarence House, London, in recognition of their work and support of the National Literacy Trust, as the charity marks its 30th year.

The volunteers, known as ‘Literacy Champions’, were six of over 60 selected from across England and Wales to attend the reception with Her Majesty, the charity’s long-standing patron. They included Miriam Loheac, 41, from Eastcott.

Since 2018, the National Literacy Trust has been working with the community in Swindon to empower children, young people and adults with the literacy skills they need to get the most out of life. Led by an on-the-ground team, the charity's work supports the development of literacy skills at school, at home and in the community – and the Literacy Champions play a vital role.

Miriam’s appreciation for the power of stories began in her childhood in India. Because she was an orphan, she was educated at a boarding school, but received books from her extended family during term-time and enjoyed sharing stories with them when they were together.

Since settling in Swindon, and now a mum of two, Miriam wanted stories to be as important in her daughters’ childhoods as they were in hers, so embraced community groups and spaces like the Swindon Hub where stories and play came together. It was here that she came across the National Literacy Trust team at their regular story group for under-fives and, as someone who appreciates the value of community more than most, signed up as a Literacy Champion.

Overcoming nerves early-on, she now regularly leads Story and Rhyme Time at the Swindon Hub and Stay and Play at the Central Library, both free for families with 0–5s. Her infectious smile and enthusiasm make the stories come alive for little ones, and she has a talent for getting parents up on their feet and stuck in too.

Of her time at Clarence House, Miriam said: “I really enjoyed talking to the guests and members of the Royal Household, who took the time to speak with us and were genuinely interested in our work as Literacy Champions. It made me feel very valued. Meeting other inspiring volunteers from across the country has given me great ideas to grow our work here in Swindon. Literacy is vital to get where you want to go in society, it opens up your mind and inspires imagination.”

Also in attendance at the Reception were Literacy Champions:

·       Katie Allinson, 35, a secondary school maths teacher and mum to a ten- and seven-year-old from Highworth. Katie leads a weekly Story and Rhyme Time group for families with 0-5s at Penhill Library. Each week, she curates a story and a theme to keep children engaged, and her dedication has seen the group grow in recent months.

·      Ella Cridland, 22, is a film student and aspiring script writer from Park North. She creates and shares digital content to inspire children and young people to read for pleasure, often celebrating comics and graphic novels as a valid reading choice. She also helps run a weekly Stay and Play session at the Central Library.

·       Jyoti Mandliya, 29, from central Swindon has a background in corporate training and Sravanti Koppu, 35, from Eastcott used to work in software engineering. Both mothers now, they give their time to help lead the National Literacy Trust’s weekly Stay and Play session at the Central Library, which is hugely popular among families with 0–5s.

• Hayley Njie, 50, from Park North is a mum of three and a lunchtime supervisor at a local primary school where she runs a weekly toddler reading group. Supporting the National Literacy Trust, she also leads a weekly Story and Rhyme Time session for 0–5s, sparking children’s love of stories from their earliest days.
   

Jonathan Douglas CBE, CEO at The National Literacy Trust, said: “Yesterday we marked 30 years of The National Literacy Trust by celebrating our dedicated Literacy Champions with our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen. Over the last three decades, their commitment and embodiment of our mission has helped us inspire and empower over five million children. With their support, we can continue our important work in Swindon to change life stories through the power of literacy."

More than 60 Literacy Champions from across England and Wales were invited to the reception in recognition of all they do to support and improve literacy where they live. From bus-drivers, teachers and football coaches; to librarians and youth leaders, there are currently over 1,000 Literacy Champions volunteering across the UK. 62 of them are making a difference in Swindon. 

Over the past three decades, the National Literacy Trust has been supporting schools, families and communities on a local and national level to raise literacy levels. It now works directly in 20 areas across the UK – including Blackpool – where poverty and low literacy are significantly impacting on people’s lives. It is in these communities that the biggest difference can be made and the charity is as committed as ever to empower them to change their stories.