Celebrating Literacy: The Bradford Stories Bus

Bradford Literature Festival and The National Literacy Trust’s community Literacy Champions embarked on a journey to bring the magic of stories to life through the Bradford Stories Bus that made its home in City Park during the 2023 festival.

Over 10 eventful days, The National Literacy Trust’s unique venue became a hub of creativity, laughter, and learning for the children, families, and young people of Bradford. From messy play to storytelling, radio broadcasts to open mic poetry nights, the Bradford Stories Bus was a celebration of the power of words and what the wonderful people of Bradford can do with them!

21 September 2023

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• Estimated Read Time: 3 minutes 21 seconds

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A Multifaceted Programme on Wheels

What once was a vintage American school bus has been converted into the Bradford Stories Bus – an enchanting book haven and exciting event space. It aims to improve access to books and promote reading for pleasure in communities across Bradford and since hitting the road in 2021, it has hosted around 80 events and had thousands of passengers.

During the festival, families and children participated in sessions ranging from story and rhyme time sessions; ‘meet the author’ events aimed to build connections between authors and students; a live radio broadcast; and an open mic poetry evening that brought together 16 budding young poets.

Claire Nicholls, Assistant Nursery Manager at the University of Bradford, visited the Bradford Stories Bus and commented:

“The staff and children at the University of Bradford Nursery celebrated at the Bradford Literature Festival with stories, songs and games. We were also delighted to have the opportunity to go on board the Bradford Stories Bus! The bus provided a unique venue for children to explore a range of books and stories and we were lucky enough to have our very own story session where children could participate and ask questions. What a fantastic way to celebrate literature and reading and help to promote a love for books from such a young age, supporting children and families across the Bradford District.”

Impact in Numbers

The Bradford Stories Bus residency at the Bradford Literature Festival has left an indelible mark on the community:

• Inspired Young Minds: Over 500 children and young people discovered the joy of reading and storytelling.
• Empowered Families: 509 parents and adults actively engaged in boosting their child’s literacy and broader communication skills.
• The Gift of Literacy: Over 500 books were gifted, becoming companions for countless new reading adventures.
• Educational Outreach: Bespoke workshops with six local schools and nurseries nurtured young talents and fostered a culture of learning.
• Cultural Immersion: Opportunities for families to savour cultural experiences with over 10 authors, poets, and artists who enriched lives and broadened horizons.

Not only did Bradford Stories Bus reach families, children and young people across Bradford, but those who attended sessions highlighted why it is a vital part of the festival:

“We were gifted new books by the Bradford Stories Bus. It was a great free day out that was full of so much enrichment. It was something I could not have afforded if it had been something that needed to pay for.”

The Bradford Stories Bus has served as a reminder of the impact that stories and creativity can have on our lives. It became a testament to the power of community, creativity, and the written word in nurturing young minds.

Behind the Scenes: The Power of Literacy Champions

The success of this programme was down to the fantastic National Literacy Trust Literacy Champions who dedicated their time and energy to ensure the success of the Bradford Stories Bus. The National Literacy Trust and the Bradford Literature Festival handed over the programming to this incredible network of individuals who worked to bring their own unique talents and offers to the festival. So a big thank you to Janice Firth, Simon Wilkinson, Haleema Khatoon, Irene Lofthouse, David Driver, Skills for Work Literacy Champions, David Morrison and Zara Sehar, and to all the families and young people who participated!

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