Books and reading programme breaking down barriers in Brixton North
A community reading project on the Angell Town Estate is pairing older students from Ark Evelyn Grace Academy with younger children at St John’s Angell Town CofE Primary School, in …
Black News 
A community reading project on the Angell Town Estate is pairing older students from Ark Evelyn Grace Academy with younger children at St John’s Angell Town CofE Primary School, in an initiative that is bringing together schools, police and residents to inspire a love of reading and strengthen community bonds.
The project, ‘Turning Pages, Changing Lives’ was the vision of Michelle Killington, Vice Chair of the Safer Neighbourhood Brixton North Ward panel, who developed the idea after winning Lambeth’s Your Streets Your Way design competition.
“I saw the importance of creating a safe space for young people from what has been known in the media as two troubled communities,” she told Brixton Buzz.
“Looking past the differences from years of tension, through the joy of reading, has been rewarding. I truly believe it takes a village to raise a child.”
– Michelle Killington, vice chair, Safer Neighbourhood Brixton North Ward.
A book swap library has been established on the estate with around 400 donated books, maintained weekly by St John’s pupils.
“Stories have the power to spark imagination, build confidence, and inspire real aspirations for young people,” Hunt said.
“This initiative strengthens trust between the police and the communities we serve, and helps children from different areas come together, form positive relationships, and achieve great things collectively.”
– Sgt Courtney Hunt, Clear Hold Build, Brixton Police.
Sarah Munday from Oxfam Bookshop Herne Hill, which donates books on a quarterly basis including titles in different languages, said the bookshop was:
“Delighted to support the Angell Town Estate Reading Project and St John’s Primary School” and looked forward to continuing to support the community.
– Sarah Munday from Oxfam Bookshop Herne Hill.
Ark Evelyn Grace Academy Principal Una Sookun said the project had shown:
“Not only the power of our community but also the power of reading.
There are no limits to what our young people can achieve and reading helps unlock their imagination and with it their potential.”
– Una Sookun, Ark Evelyn Grace Academy.
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Photography: @hallieaduke, courtesey of Ark Evelyn Grace Academy, St John’s Primary School, and Clear, Hold, Build.
