Print Solutions
Topic Heroes is on a mission to inspire creativity and ignite a love for reading and writing by providing a learning resource that allows children to write their very own topic book online; with every child who takes part receiving a printed copy of their book – completely free!
A literacy charity founded by Lucy Swanston, managing director of Nutshell Creative, the organisation is making strides in tackling the literacy crisis among children in the UK. In collaboration with Richard Pepper, founder of funkypigeon.com, the charity aims to provide free access to Topic Heroes for every child in primary school – bridging the gap in literacy and cultivating a future generation that cherishes books and print.
‘As a mum of three boys, it was a struggle to keep them engaged with reading and writing. I knew I had to find a creative way to inspire them,’ explained Lucy Swanston. ‘I realised that I wasn’t alone in this struggle, many parents face the same challenge. That is why we created Topic Heroes; to make reading and writing fun and accessible for all children, helping them to discover the joy of books and the power of their own creativity.’
The literacy crisis in the UK is staggering, with nearly one million children aged five to 18 lacking a book of their own. The most recent academic year saw 187,000 children not meeting the expected literacy standards, imposing a societal cost estimated at £830 million per cohort of five year olds.
Richard Pepper, who has experienced literacy struggles himself, emphasises the importance of this mission: ‘As a dyslexic, I have personally experienced the challenges that come with literacy struggles, and I know how important it is to support children in finding their own path to reading and writing,’ he said. ‘Joining Topic Heroes was an easy decision for me because it is a cause close to my heart. I am proud to support an initiative that not only helps children develop vital literacy skills but also instils a lifelong love for reading and writing, which in turn creates volume for the print industry.’
Now, Topic Heroes is calling on the printing industry to help bring its vision to every primary school aged child in the UK. Every donation plays a crucial role in supporting this transformative cause. Every contribution helps ensure that no child is left behind in the literacy journey – and, ultimately, that the love of print is passed down to future generations.
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