Bringing literacy to life

The conference was organised by the West Yorkshire based charity Reading Matters, which works to improve reading skills and life chances for children and young people.

Liz Pichon, the award winning author and illustrator of the Tom Gates books, became a patron of the charity earlier this year and delivered the keynote speech at the conference.

She is dyslexic and spoke of the extra support needed for those with the condition to help develop a love of reading.

Halifax-based children’s author Tom Palmer, was also a guest speaker. He writes stories on a sporting theme to engage young people with reading.

The conference sought, through a varied programme of speakers and workshops, to discuss new ways of making literacy exciting for young people.

Around 130 people, including teachers, librarians and early years experts, attended to hear the latest thinking on what works to boost reading among young people and some people had travelled from as far as London to attend.

Rachel Kelly, chief executive of Reading Matters, said: “It was a fantastic day and there was a great mix of people there.

“There were some people who already work with Reading Matters, but it was great to see lots who haven’t worked with us before attend. They will all now go and implement what they have learned in their own settings.”