Book Nooks In
Warm Spaces
In 2023, we launched a new campaign to make reading more accessible across Exeter and Devon - we wanted to put books into the hands of those that needed them most.
We worked with four Warm Spaces in Devon who provide a space for community groups, vulnerable individuals & families, and people who may want to spend some time in a warm space over Winter.
Read on to learn about why we created this campaign, the spaces & bookshops we worked with, and the donations from people & organisations who made Book Nooks in Warm Spaces possible.
We’re proud to be launching a new campaign to make reading more accessible across Devon. With your help, this impactful initiative will see us send new books to select designated warm spaces across Exeter and Devon!
We believe that in a world fractured by inequalities, increased access to books advances peoples’ literacy levels, economic opportunities, and wellbeing.
Exeter City of Literature is running a public fundraising campaign to raise money to purchase new books that will be sent to select designated Warm Spaces in Exeter and Devon. The campaign will run from 30th October 2023 to 16th February 2024. Warm spaces will include community centres, churches, and parish halls.
In England, 5.1 million adults lack the literacy skills expected of an 11-year-old. Exeter alone has six Wards that have significant literacy need, according to the National Literacy Trust. This literacy gap creates significant obstacles to social mobility, and we hope to change this with our Book Nooks in Warm Spaces campaign.
We have a track record for making books and reading accessible and fun, from free book tokens for bibliotherapy sessions to the Penguin Books Vending Machine at Exeter St David’s Station. We hope you’ll support us in providing free books to our neighbours and communities within Devon.
We’re working with the following Bookshops and Warm Spaces
Bookbag - Wonford Methodist Church, Exeter
Owl & Pyramid - The Shambles, Barnstaple
Ilfracombe Bookshop - Belle’s Place, Ilfracombe
The Old Queeriosity Shop - St Katherine’s Priory, Exeter
Belle's Place: Run entirely by volunteers based in the heart of Ilfracombe, Belle's Place is there to help those in need and support the most vulnerable individuals and families in our community.
Wonford Methodist Church: The 'Wonford Welcome' is a Saturday drop-in providing free refreshments and activities for everyone who needs a warm place to spend some time.
The Shambles: Run by Barnstaple Council, The Shambles is a new self contained community space on Barnstaple High Street, used by a range of community groups for all sorts of activities.
St Katherine's Priory: An ancient Benedictine Nunnery, the Priory has been a Community Centre since 1982. Managed by the Stoke Hill Community Centre and run entirely by volunteers, the main hall hosts a weekly Café and The St Katherine’s Food Larder open every Friday.
The books we purchase will be sourced from local bookshops!
We’ll shop with the closest indie bookshop to each Warm Space, supporting the local economy.
Sources:
February 2023 Study: https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-young-people-book-access-cost-of-living
November 2022 Study: https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/book-ownership-in-2022
The Reading Agency: https://readingagency.org.uk/about/impact/002-reading-facts-1/#fn11
