TextNow® in Wales

TextNow® is an innovative reader engagement programme that motivates young people to become more confident and able readers. The model is based on a structured programme of daily 20-minute reading sessions each weekday for a period of ten weeks supported by trained volunteer coaches, a small library and an incentive scheme. This regular and focused one-to-one support aims to encourage a young person’s interest in and enjoyment of reading to reduce the risk of long-term social exclusion.

The Impact of TextNow

In 2009-10, TextNow ran in 12 sites in Wales including schools, colleges, pupil referral units, youth offending teams, and other organisations that work with young people.

The evaluation of the 2008-2009 pilot programme across England and Wales had demonstrated that the programme had impressive, statistically significant impacts on all aspects of reading engagement and achievement. Most significantly, the evaluation found average reading ages improved by 18 months in just 12 weeks.

There were also significant outcomes demonstrating that young people on the project enjoyed reading more, were reading more frequently and had branched out in terms of what they read.

A further pilot ran over 2009-10; to date over 700 young people have participated in the pilots of TextNow.

The Future for TextNow

Evaluation by Professor Greg Brooks has identified that, not only is the programme unique in its effectiveness, but it has wide applicability for young people with low levels of reading attainment and who are at risk of detachment from education.

We intend to expand TextNow across England and Wales and are grateful to the following organisations who are supporting us:

  • The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
  • The Equitable Charitable Trust
  • The Dulverton Trust
  • The Coutts Charitable Trust.

If you are interested in running TextNow, please follow this link to express interest: Expression of Interest