Thrive at Five
Through a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and The Reader Organisation, LCVS | United Way is providing this initiative to help children develop their reading skills and prepare for brighter futures. Studies have proven that children who are read to regularly are better prepared for school.
Dolly’s Imagination Library operates in the USA, Canada and the UK and gives children a new book each month from birth until they are five. This project aims to reach 1,000 children in the next five years.
The Thrive at Five programme will be initially delivered in Everton, where The Reader Organisation will hold reading events with children and families. The project aims to increase the school readiness of participating children, and inspire love of reading in their families.
Dolly Parton said: "I am so excited that we can work with LCVS | United Way and The Reader Organisation to launch the Imagination Library in Liverpool. We will be working 9 to 5 – and beyond – to make sure we do all we can to inspire as many kids as possible to love books and to love reading!"
The programme is funded locally by individual donations from parents, other community members, corporate gifts and special grants. It costs £84 per year for one child to take part in the Thrive at Five programme. For as little as £7 a month you can help to provide a child with a book a month.
LCVS | United Way are looking for corporate sponsors and donors to help fund Thrive at Five in Everton and other areas of Liverpool.
To make a donation please send cheques payable to "LCVS (Liverpool Thrive at Five)" to LCVS 151 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2AH or click on the 'Donate Online' button, scroll down the page and select Thrive at Five (Everton) from the drop-down 'Your chosen charity' list, complete your details and the amount of your donation, and click 'submit'.