National Storytelling Week is a chance to celebrate Norwich, City of Stories and campaign for a fairer start for every child says Alice Macdonald, Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate for Norwich North

It’s time to celebrate Norwich’s schools, libraries, bookshops, teachers, parents, carers, children and… Dolly Parton!

It’s National Storytelling Week which runs from Saturday, January 28 to Sunday, February 5 and you may be surprised to know Dolly Parton  launched an ‘Imagination library’ in which free, high quality books are sent each month to children aged 0 - 5. 

In Norfolk, the scheme is available to children living in care, and those who’ve recently been adopted, via the Norfolk Virtual School, meaning over 300 children aged 0 - 5 in Norfolk are enjoying books every month, thanks to this brilliant female icon. 

Dolly Parton, started the library as a tribute to her late father saying: “He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams. Inspiring kids to love to read became my life mission.”

Where better than Norwich - the City of Stories - to take inspiration from Dolly and think about the importance of stories, and what more we can do to support all families?

 Reading for enjoyment is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more important than family circumstances, parents’ educational background and income. 

The evidence is overwhelming; learning to read for pleasure has an impact on a child’s academic success, their mental health, their ability to empathize, positive attitudes towards other cultures and even life expectancy.

Here, in Norwich the picture is mixed as several of our wards have children that are classed as having children with  ‘literacy vulnerability’.

“Life should not come down to luck”, Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s shadow secretary of state for education has said. 

Labour has a fresh vision for education in this country that will enable all our children - whatever their postcode - to thrive. 

Because educational inequality starts early, Labour will invest early with free breakfast clubs for every single primary school child in England. Not only will they ensure no child is doing the impossible and trying to learn while hungry, they will also drive up standards and achievement and support working families; giving mums, dads and carers more choice.

Labour will also end the deeply unfair VAT exemption for private schools, where just 7 per cent of our children are educated and we will use the savings to invest in all our children. 

Today I want to celebrate some of the brilliant programmes taking place in our city to support storytelling and reading. One of my very first jobs was working in a bookshop so it’s a subject that is close to my heart.

The fantastic Mile Cross Library - my local library - runs a programme called Reading Pathways, to help adults who want to learn to read or improve their reading. Deciding to get support is a brave step to make, and the library staff are friendly, welcoming and used to helping people.

Adults looking for support will be paired up with a reading volunteer and together they will meet at an agreed time at the library. Mile Cross Library is actively looking for volunteers to support this programme, so if you have an hour spare each week to do something incredibly important do go to the library to get more info. 

We’re lucky in Norwich to have some brilliant bookshops, including the wonderful Bookbugs and Dragon Tales, which recently received a £5,000 donation from Gladiator star Russell Crowe.

Owner Leanne Fridd, who is proud to have grown up in Mile Cross, was recently named as a Rising Star in the book industry in a national list of only 40 people. She says her love of reading was “ignited and fed” by Mile Cross Library, and that it was an invaluable resource growing up. She is passionate about increasing access to books through school outreach projects. 

They also work with The Phoenix Centre in Mile Cross by donating and discounting books and they soon plan to run workshops there.  Head to Leanne’s shop on Timberhill to find out more about their free storytelling sessions for young children.

Norwich is also fortunate to be home to the UK’s National Centre for Writing, based at Dragon Hall on King Street. Encouraging a love of stories and reading is a big part of their work. Take a look at their website for upcoming events and also download the free ‘Neverending Stories Pack’, which is full of fun activities for parents, carers and children to encourage the excitement of storytelling. As the pack makes clear; ‘Story time doesn’t have to mean sitting down quietly and reading a whole book. It’s about sharing a story with your child, whatever that may be. Story time can fit anywhere!’ 

Norwich, is not only a UNESCO City of Literature but also a proud member of the City of Sanctuary network. In 2022, after years of hard work, the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library became a Library of Sanctuary. The award was given in recognition of the work done to welcome refugees into our community. 

I am so pleased to have been selected to have the chance to represent the people of Norwich North – in the county I grew up in – in a city known for its love of stories and its welcoming approach. 

It’s on me to show people I am on their side. I won’t let you down.  I hope that I will soon be an MP here and can fight for the change and investment needed, to make this a happy story for all our children.

For more information about National Storytelling Week and free resources for carers, children and schools see the National Literacy Trust website at: www.literacytrust.org.uk