Hackney Urges Reading for National Year 2026

Key Points

• Hackney Council has joined the National Year of Reading 2026, a nationwide campaign to encourage everyone in the UK to enjoy the benefits of reading.
• The initiative is led by the Department for Education in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust.
• The campaign aims to tackle the decline in reading enjoyment across the UK and help people of all ages rediscover reading as part of everyday lives.
• Reading for pleasure is linked to positive educational, social, and economic outcomes.
• Current statistics show only 1 in 3 children and young people enjoy reading, with daily reading below 21%, particularly low among boys, teens, and low-income families.
• Hackney Council plans to host various events throughout 2026, including collage-making classes, song and story sharing sessions, writing groups, and book clubs, targeting all ages.

Hackney (East London Times) February 19, 2026 – Hackney Council has thrown its support behind the National Year of Reading 2026, urging residents to rediscover the joys of reading amid a worrying national decline in literacy enjoyment. This Department for Education-backed campaign, developed with the National Literacy Trust, seeks to embed reading into daily lives for people of all ages, highlighting its vital role in educational, social, and economic wellbeing. Local authorities like Hackney are stepping up with a packed calendar of community events to reignite passion for books in the borough.

What Is the National Year of Reading 2026?

The National Year of Reading 2026 represents a concerted UK-wide effort to reverse falling reading rates. As outlined in the campaign’s core mission, it encourages “everyone in the UK to enjoy the benefits of reading” by making it accessible and habitual. The initiative stems directly from concerns over plummeting reading enjoyment, with official figures revealing stark disparities.

The Department for Education spearheads the programme, partnering closely with the National Literacy Trust to deliver nationwide impact. This collaboration leverages the Trust’s expertise in literacy promotion, aiming to reconnect communities with books through targeted interventions. In Hackney, as reported across initial council announcements, the borough’s involvement signals a commitment to local action within this broader framework.

Why Is Reading Enjoyment Declining in the UK?

Reading for pleasure correlates strongly with “positive educational, social, and economic outcomes,” yet enjoyment is waning. Only 1 in 3 children and young people report enjoying reading, a statistic underscoring the crisis. Daily reading engagement hovers below 21%, with even lower rates among boys, teenagers, and families from low-income backgrounds.

These trends, drawn from national literacy surveys underpinning the campaign, paint a picture of systemic challenges. Factors such as digital distractions, socioeconomic barriers, and reduced access to engaging materials contribute to the drop. Hackney’s participation acknowledges these UK-wide issues, positioning the borough as a frontline responder.

How Is Hackney Council Responding to the Campaign?

Hackney Council pledges a year-long slate of events to foster reading across generations. Activities include “collage-making classes, song and story sharing sessions, writing groups and book clubs,” designed to appeal to diverse interests and ages. These initiatives aim to make reading communal and fun, countering isolation in literacy habits.

The council’s strategy integrates with the National Year of Reading’s goals, embedding events into community venues like libraries and centres. Residents are urged to “pick up a book,” a direct call echoing the campaign’s ethos of everyday integration. No specific launch date for Hackney’s programme was detailed in initial statements, but rollout is set for throughout 2026.

Who Is Behind the National Year of Reading Initiative?

The Department for Education drives the campaign as its primary architect. In collaboration with the National Literacy Trust, it addresses the “decline in reading enjoyment in the UK.” This partnership pools governmental resources with charitable literacy expertise, ensuring broad reach.

The National Literacy Trust’s involvement is pivotal, given its track record in tackling literacy gaps. Their joint effort underscores a policy-level recognition of reading’s multifaceted benefits. Hackney’s alignment with these bodies amplifies local impact within the national push.

What Benefits Does Reading for Pleasure Offer?

Daily reading yields “positive educational, social, and economic outcomes,” bolstering academic performance, empathy, and employability. For children, it builds vocabulary and resilience; for adults, it enhances mental health and civic engagement. The campaign positions these gains as essential for societal progress.

In vulnerable groups—boys, teens, low-income families—the absence of reading enjoyment exacerbates inequalities. Hackney’s events target these demographics, promoting inclusivity. Evidence from literacy studies, as cited in campaign materials, links habitual reading to lifelong advantages.

Which Groups Face the Lowest Reading Rates?

Disparities are pronounced: boys, teenagers, and low-income families show the weakest engagement. With daily reading under 21% overall, these cohorts lag further, per national data. Only 1 in 3 children and young people enjoy reading, signalling an urgent need for intervention.

Hackney’s diverse population mirrors these challenges, making localised events critical. The council’s all-ages approach ensures no group is overlooked, aligning with the campaign’s universal call.

What Events Will Hackney Host in 2026?

The borough’s programme features creative, interactive sessions: collage-making classes to spark visual storytelling; song and story sharing for musical-literary fusion; writing groups for aspiring authors; and book clubs for discussion. These span the year, hosted across venues to maximise participation.

No exhaustive schedule was released in opening announcements, but the variety promises broad appeal. Families, seniors, and youth alike can engage, fostering intergenerational bonds through literature.

How Does This Fit into Broader UK Literacy Efforts?

The National Year of Reading forms part of sustained governmental focus on literacy. By partnering with bodies like the National Literacy Trust, it builds on prior initiatives amid persistent declines. Hackney’s role exemplifies how local councils operationalise national strategies.

The campaign’s timing for 2026 leverages post-pandemic recovery, where reading dips were exacerbated. It invites “everyone” to participate, democratising access to books’ transformative power.

Why Focus on Daily Reading Habits?

The drive to “make it part of their everyday lives” targets habit formation. Sporadic reading yields less benefit than routine practice, per educational research. Hackney’s events emphasise this, weaving literature into routine community life.

Residents face encouragement to integrate books seamlessly, countering modern distractions. This practical emphasis distinguishes the campaign from one-off promotions.

What Challenges Does the Campaign Aim to Tackle?

Beyond statistics, the initiative confronts access barriers, cultural shifts, and motivation gaps. Low enjoyment among specific demographics highlights tailored needs. Hackney’s multifaceted events address these head-on, promoting equity.

The council’s proactive stance positions Hackney as a model for other boroughs. By hosting inclusive activities, it mitigates declines locally while contributing to national goals.

How Can Residents Get Involved?

Hackney urges action: “pick up a book” serves as the rallying cry. Participation in council events offers entry points, from creative classes to clubs. Monitoring local announcements ensures updates on schedules and venues.

The campaign’s collaborative spirit invites personal commitment alongside organised efforts. Families and individuals stand to gain most through active engagement.