Skip to main content
 

Blackpool 30 reading challenge

Families in Blackpool are invited to take part in a reading challenge to read for 30 minutes a day for pleasure.

We want to see more residents reading. Whether that is their local newspaper or an online review of a film they are wanting to watch.

We want to encourage more of it which is why we have introduced a 30 minute reading challenge.

The Blackpool 30 reading challenge is for everyone regardless of age. The main message is that reading is fun and good for your wellbeing.

A popular statistic is that 30 minutes of reading a day can increase levels of literacy so we want to see children and adults form a regular reading habit.

The reading challenge is open to all:

  • Residents
  • Businesses
  • Employers
  • Employees

It aims to build a positive reading culture through reading for pleasure.

Make it your mission to share the message that reading is fun and that reading with a child is an important part of parenting!

Share your journey by taking a picture of what you're reading and upload it to social media using the hashtag #Blackpool30

Reasons for joining the reading challenge

Reading has many benefits from improving mental health and wellbeing to helping children boost their confidence and connect with their emotions.

Reading is a passport to the world. It helps people to enjoy learning and improve their general knowledge and it also improves their career prospects and life chances.

Books to read

Anything goes!

You can choose any book of your choice, or pick up anything from a magazine, newspaper or online article.

Accessing books

Blackpool has 8 libraries, which provide free access to a wide range of books for all ages with computers and free WiFi. There's also 24-hour access to online services, including e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines and newspapers.

Joining the library

Join the library online

If you’d prefer not to come into the library, you can download a wide range of audiobooks and e-books for free with your Blackpool library card.

All you need is your Blackpool library card and a compatible device with an internet connection. You can also read full text digital copies of your favourite:

  • Magazines
  • Daily, national, local and international newspapers
  • Comics
  • Graphic novels

Book of the month

As part of the Blackpool 30 reading challenge, the library team are selecting a Book of the Month. They have chosen the following titles which are all available on Overdrive

  • December - Away with the Penguins by Hazel Prior
  • January - Resistance by Mara Timon
  • February - The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig

Reading competition 

To celebrate National Storytelling Week (29 January to 5 February), Blackpool schools have been invited to take part in a reading competition.

All primary and secondary schools taking part in the reading competition have until the end of the spring term to read as much as possible and share their progress on social media using the hashtag #Blackpool30

Prizes will be awarded at the start of the summer term.

Details of prizes

Prize 1 – £1000 worth of books for a school library. All schools are to email communications.team@blackpool.gov.uk by 1 April 2022 to be entered into a draw to win, if they can clearly be seen to be highlighting this challenge via their school website and/or social media. A logo, poster and other artwork are all available and can be displayed on the school’s website and/or social media page.

Prize two – £100 book voucher for the best new reader. Schools can nominate any child who has made significant progress in reading, when they were previously a reluctant reader. Nominations to be sent by email to communications.team@blackpool.gov.uk by the end of the spring term.

Prize three – £100 book voucher for the most prolific reader. Schools can nominate any child who has read for 30 mins a day, for at least 60 consecutive days. Nominations to be sent by email to communications.team@blackpool.gov.uk by the end of the spring term.

Prize four – £100 book voucher for the best family reading partnership. Schools can nominate a family who has engaged in the inter-generational reading aspect of this challenge, by evidencing reading to each other within the family, for 30 minutes a day, for at least 60 consecutive days. Nominations to be sent by email to communications.team@blackpool.gov.uk by the end of the spring term.

Prize five – £500 worth of books for the best class of readers for the class to share. Schools can nominate any class or form group that achieves a combined 50,000 minutes of reading by the end of term, shown by a class reading log. Nominations to be sent by email to communications.team@blackpool.gov.uk by the end of the spring term.

Help with your reading

We provide a range of free adult learning and education courses and drop-in sessions for people living in Blackpool, aged 19 and above.

There are various courses available in libraries run by Adult and Family Learning.

Join the Blackpool 30 challenge today and get reading.

Don’t forget to share your reading journey using hashtag #Blackpool30 on social media!