BookTrust NI and SONI celebrate their continued partnership in Armagh

Published on: 7 Mawrth 2018 Author: Kathryn Anderson

To celebrate the extended partnership between SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) and children’s reading charity BookTrust NI, Sure Start families enjoyed a morning of playful story and rhyme time at Armagh Robinson Library.

The partnership sees 1,000 babies in the Armagh area receive a Bookstart Baby Pack. These specially designed packs contain two carefully selected, high-quality books and a booklet of support and guidance for parents to better understand why reading with their baby is important, even at a young age.

Liz Canning, BookTrust NI Manager, said:

'BookTrust NI became SONI’s charity partner in 2016-17 and we are delighted that this has been extended for a further year. This partnership will help many families get their babies started on a reading journey, inspiring a lifelong love of reading. We are committed to building on the impact and goodwill that was generated in the Armagh city area.'

Kate Finnegan, SONI External Affairs, said:

'We are delighted to be into our second year of partnership with BookTrust NI. It is our vision as a company to make sure our own communications are clear and accessible, which very much mirrors BookTrust NI’s vision to encourage development of important literacy skills.

'We’ve held various literacy events in the Armagh area because we recognise the importance of working hand-in-hand with local communities as we progress vital projects like the North South Interconnector. We are very happy to be back at the historic Armagh library supporting local parents and toddlers as they take their first steps on the lifelong adventure that reading brings.'

Maree Loughran of Armagh Sure Start, said:

'We would like to thank BookTrust and SONI for gifting us Bookstart Baby packs to share with our families. Sure Start promotes reading to your baby from birth and before as it is a wonderful way to support your child’s language development and all round emotional health and wellbeing.'