Doorstep Library

Words take you places

Doorstep Library is a registered charity that brings books and the magic of reading directly to the homes of children in some of London’s most disadvantaged areas. As a charity we’re unique in this. We do it because poor reading skills are inextricably linked to economic disadvantage and reduced life possibilities. Our work improves not just reading skills, but confidence, self-esteem, articulacy, social integration, academic performance and even long-term employment prospects. Words have the power to take children places, not just in their minds, but in their lives.

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1 in 3
parents never read their child a bedtime story. Bedtime reading has dropped by 1/3 in a generation due to stress and lack of time. Source: Littlewoods study, 2013
1.5m
Children will be left behind by 2025 if we don't act now. Last year a quarter of all children left primary education without being able to read well. Source: Read on. Get on. Campaign, 2014
1 in 4
people earning less than £10,000 were not functionally literate In short, reading and poverty are directly linked. Source: Read on. Get on. Campaign, 2014
48%
of offenders in custody were found to have a reading age at or below the expected level of an 11-year-old. Source: Prison Reform Trust, 2010
38th most deprived local authority
our projects are run on estates that are in the top 20% of most deprived households nationally. Source: Index of Multiple Deprivation, 2010