The one-year scheme Words Unite, unveiled as part of Family LearningWeek (6-14 October), will involve activities and events in children'scentres and nurseries, and also reach out to GP surgeries, community andvoluntary groups, and libraries.
The campaign is run by the Learning Trust, the not-for-profit companythat runs the borough's education services and Team Hackney, its localstrategic partnership.
Learning Trust chief executive Alan Wells told Nursery World, 'This isto add on and build on what we're already doing in early yearssettings.'
Hackney has one of the lowest levels of literacy in the country.
Mr Wells added, 'There are a significant number of adults with literacybelow GCSE, but also one-third are educated to degree level. It's also avery diverse population and there is an issue with fluency in English.The scheme is designed to make it accessible to everyone.'
Grants of up to 10,000 are available for reading projects tobenefit the community. The closing date for applications is 15 October.Download an application form and find out about Words Unite events atwww.gethackneyreading.com.
