Video: Cllr Mellen stops off at the Queen’s Medical Centre to read stories to children
A Nottingham City councillor who is on a mission to read to 2,018 children in one month to improve literacy rates and raise money for charity stopped off at the QMC.
Nottingham has some of the lowest literacy rates in the country and according to figures, many local children begin school without the necessary levels required.
That’s why Labour councillor David Mellen, portfolio holder for Early Intervention and Early Years, has taken up the task of reading to 2,018 children and is also asking for sponsorship money to raise at least £2,018 for the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library charity.
Cllr Mellen said: “I’ve seen two children who spend a lot of time here and when they’re well enough they come to the wonderful hospital school here.
“I think someone reading you a story is a really nice experience – there’s lot of research that it not only helps literacy development but it helps them in a whole load of other ways.
“That’s why I’m keen to get books into homes so parents, grandparents and even babysitters can read to children from birth.
“We think it will help children in Nottingham to make a really good start to their education.”
