Canterbury Imagine, affiliated to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library set up by the country singer, is the first scheme of its kind in in West Yorkshire. Based on Bradford’s Canterbury estate, the scheme works by parents registering their babies, and the youngsters receive a lovely book every month until their fifth birthday, sent through the post and addressed to the child. They build up their own ‘library’ of 60 books, aiming to improve life chances through literacy and a love of books, and to encourage bonding between parent and child as they look at books together.
Canterbury Imagine has been set up by Journalism Senior Lecturer, Jan Winter, and sponsorship from Leeds Trinity enabled her to hold a successful launch party, which included a children’s entertainer and refreshments.
It was held at Canterbury children’s centre, where staff are supportive of the project and will undertake many of the registrations.
The Little Horton ward, where Canterbury is located, is among the most deprived ten per cent of council wards in the country. A child from the area featured on the TV documentary, Poor Kids, last year, which followed children living in poverty.
Leeds Trinity’s goodie packs at the launch included pairs of red socks, which some youngsters turned these into impromptu glove puppets!
Canterbury is a cost-effective scheme, where £25 pays for books for a whole year for a child.
Jan said:
“We are looking for corporate sponsors, who might pledge an annual donation, as we hope to reach all 1,300 under-fives in the Canterbury area within five years. I’m grateful to Leeds Trinity for the sponsorship, which made the event a really special party for families in the area.”
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Dale Smith, also attended and presented a cheque for £1,000 from his Sprinkle Sunshine appeal to the project.
Dolly’s project, which started in the US, was first introduced in the UK in Rotherham more than five years ago, and the Rotherham district is already seeing improved literacy skills among young children as they enter school.