2 - Highlights of 2022

Please share the highlights and successes of the programme you’ve delivered

Our HAF programme featured on BBC Midlands Today on 15/08/2022 covering a family and the difference HAF has made to the whole family. 

Staffordshire Libraries and the HAF team identified 2 HAF projects to offer library books & membership and support the roll-out of the Summer Reading Challenge by issuing core packs to participating children. HAF participants would be encouraged to set a personal reading goal. On completion of the Summer Reading Challenge; children would receive a Summer Reading Challenge certificate, medal and bookmark and would be signposted back to their local library to continue their reading journey. A Key Impact and Learning Summary stated:

• In general, 9,977 children started the Summer Reading Challenge in Staffordshire and 61% of children starting completed, and working with the HAF programme increased the number of children by 481 HAF participants and 427 completing the challenge
     
• At the HAF clubs, children created their own summer “reading journey” and had a positive experience of books and reading during the holidays. This provided an opportunity to develop reading skills and reading confidence and raised awareness of library services
  
  
• In Burton area, 90% of HAF participants registered for the Summer Reading Challenge.
   
• New partnerships with HAF providers have been created for future library projects. “The Gadgeteers Reading challenge has been a huge selling point in getting the children to read and the pride in gaining not only the Certificate and Medal, but the interactive stickers has allowed children to feel motivated to read more” Quote from HAF Provider, Aspire

Quotes from HAF participants in the challenge:

“The Summer Reading Challenge meant I had different interesting books to allow me to read new books” (age 11)

“I enjoyed reading with others and with friends” ( age 8)

“Having older children to help me to read the tricky words” – (age 5)

“I enjoyed completing the reading challenge and working towards having the medal and certificate” (age 6)

“What I enjoyed the most was having something to do whilst resting during quiet time on camp” (age 7)

Key Results included:

• One provider created a reading corner and any child at the project could take part in the challenge. This led to 30 children starting and completing the project. The provider was enthusiastic and added all the details of the Summer Reading Challenge to their website and signposted parents to the offer and public library.
    
• In the Burton district as well as the reading challenge all HAF participants were to become library members – a total of 273 HAF participants started and completed the reading challenge. Participants were also given information on the library offer. Two out of the three providers included books to borrow
     
• Newcastle/Moorlands district one provider invited the Library Officer to the club and engaged the children with a photo quiz, signed all the children up for the Challenge and left books at the club to be borrowed. Half the children attending the HAF club borrowed a book.
     
• This provided HAF participants an opportunity to develop reading skills and reading confidence.
     
• Children’s comments showed that some of them had no or few books at home and therefore the library books were really valuable.
     
• At one HAF club, In answer to the Question “Do you think you are a better reader now than at the beginning of the summer holidays?” 17/26 children responded “Yes”.

One HAF provider stated “having the selection of books [and] not identifying books as per reading level has given the children the exposure to try new and different reading books. With no pressure, read-a-longs, guided reading and peer evaluations have happened without prompting and naturally. It has been lovely to watch the children without them being forced to do so and those that haven’t wanted to read (although not many) simply didn’t have to.”