Queen Camilla meets volunteers who improve literacy

Six volunteers including Jessica-Hollie Price attended the special afternoon to mark 30 years of the literacy trust

National Literacy Trust volunteers recognised by Queen Camilla at a special reception said they were “proud” of the difference they had made in their community.

The charity, which works with schools, families and communities to raise literacy levels, and has more than 1,000 voluntary literacy champions, is marking 30 years.

This week, six volunteers, including three students, attended a special afternoon at Clarence House with Queen Camilla - the National Literacy Trust’s long-standing patron.

The attendees enjoyed the event and said it was the “highlight” of their day.

James Bryant and Aleesha Mbye, both 18, from Thomas Deacon Academy are part of the Youth Literacy Champion network

Since 2014, the National Literacy Trust has worked with the Peterborough community to empower children and adults with the literacy skills they needed to get the most out of life.

Students Jessica-Hollie Price, 17, from Jack Hunt School and James Bryant and Aleesha Mbye, both 18, from Thomas Deacon Academy, are part of the Youth Literacy Champion network.

Jessica-Hollie has volunteered for the Trust for two years and is a reading buddy, helping younger pupils with reading comprehension.

James and Aleesha have been involved as part of their work with Peterborough Youth Council, helping to set up a community bookshelf for their peers.

All three Youth Literacy Champions wanted to motivate young people to help shape the world.

A cake cutting ceremony was held to mark 30 years of the National Literacy Trust

Reflecting on their roles so far, Jessica-Hollie said it was “an exciting opportunity”, while James said “the only way to make deprived areas into flourishing cities is by increasing education and literacy.”

Susan Sheriff, who works for children’s charity Family Action attended the royal reception along with Deborah Cobb, a nursery manager in the city and Marianne Hill, who works at the Cancer Wellbeing Centre in Peterborough. The facility hosts a lending library for people living with cancer and their families.

Jonathan Douglas CBE, CEO at The National Literacy Trust, said: “We marked 30 years by celebrating our dedicated Literacy Champions with our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen.

“Over the last three decades, their commitment and embodiment of our mission has helped us inspire and empower over five million children.

“With their support, we can continue our important work in Peterborough to change life stories through the power of literacy."