A Christmas message from Viv Bird

Viv Bird, Chief Executive

I wanted to take this opportunity to send you all my very best wishes for a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

This time last year the view from Book House was a fairly bleak one. Outside it was cold, grey and forbidding; inside, Booktrust was coming to terms with the devastating news about government funding of our bookgifting programmes. By the end of that week there was still snow on the ground but the outlook for Booktrust had improved significantly, thanks to the extraordinary and spontaneous outburst of support from so many authors and members of the public, which undoubtedly strengthened our case to ministers about the huge value and ongoing necessity of our work.

While 2011 has been a very challenging year for us and for many others in the not-for-profit sector, Booktrust's core purpose remains: bringing joy and confidence in reading and writing and making a real difference to the educational and cultural outlook for people of all ages.

In the 12 months since we learnt from the Department for Education of an almost 50% cut to funding for Bookstart, Booktime and Booked Up, Booktrust and our network of partners have worked hard to ensure continued delivery of the bookgifting programmes while maintaining their quality, breadth and effectiveness. We were encouraged then, as we still are now, by the overwhelming level of support from authors, publishers, libraries and health professionals. 

We are particularly heartened that 100% of local authorities have signed up to continue delivering their bookgifting schemes. This is an enormous commitment at a time of stringent cuts and a testament to the value they place on the programmes. These partners add huge amounts of value alongside their professional expertise and local knowledge. In these challenging economic times, publishers have increased their investment in what they see as vital intervention programmes to help every child discover the joys of reading.

This public private partnership, driven by Booktrust, delivers outstanding value for money and real social benefit: an independent study valued the Social Return on Investment at £1 to £25 - meaning that every £1 invested generated a benefit to society of £25.  

In the past year, Booktrust has worked proactively to reduce costs across the board whilst protecting the core universal offer of free books and guidance for every child and family. We have, in addition, developed innovative targeted programmes in recognition that some families need more intensive support and encouragement to engage in home literacy practices. In 2012, Booktrust's universal programmes will deliver almost 5 million books to more than 2.5 million babies, toddlers and children. The new targeted programmes will mean that hundreds of thousands will receive additional tailored support through their school or local children's centre.

Booktrust will continue to make a strong case to government for support of the bookgifting programmes beyond March 2013 while, at the same time, actively exploring opportunities to engage new sponsors and add even more value to this extremely successful public private partnership.