{"id":474399,"date":"2026-07-10T19:14:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T09:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railuk.com\/?p=196050"},"modified":"2026-07-10T19:14:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T09:14:01","slug":"sara-pascoe-launches-kids-reading-programme-across-the-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=474399","title":{"rendered":"Sara Pascoe launches kids reading programme across the network"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sara Pascoe has helped LNER launch a new campaign encouraging families to turn their train journeys into reading time this summer.<\/p>\n

The comedian and host of the Weirdos Book Club podcast, a book review podcast now in its fifth season, kicked off the campaign today by treating schoolchildren to pop-up reading sessions on trains travelling between London, York, and Leeds.<\/p>\n

Four train operating companies \u2013 LNER, Northern, Southeastern, and TransPennine Express \u2013 have teamed up with The Reading Agency, a UK charity that has hosted the annual Summer Reading Challenge since 1999, which aims to keep children reading outside the classroom over the school holidays.<\/p>\n

Colleagues working for the four train operating companies are now planning to hand out tens of thousands of free Summer Reading Challenge activity packs to families over the coming months. Each one contains a copy of Storytime Magazine, sticker booklet, activity sheet, certificate and other fun resources to inspire children aged 4\u201311 to read more outside of the classroom.<\/p>\n

Sara Pascoe, comedian and host of the Weirdos Book Club podcast, said: \u201cI\u2019ve always loved reading when I\u2019m travelling. It has a brilliant way of making the journey feel like part of the adventure rather than just the bit in between. It was such a joy to surprise children on the train, share stories together and see children getting excited about the books. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s such a simple idea, but turning travel time into reading time is a lovely, easy way to keep kids entertained this summer and help them discover the fun of reading wherever they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Karen Napier MBE, chief executive at The Reading Agency, commented: \u201cThe Summer Reading Challenge is all about helping children discover the joy of reading in ways that feel fun and easy. By working in partnership with LNER, Northern, Southeastern and TransPennine Express, we\u2019re reaching families where they are and turning every journey into an opportunity for imagination, creativity and shared family moments. It\u2019s a powerful way to help more children enjoy reading, wherever the summer takes them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The activity packs will be available on board hundreds of participating services and stations, from Edinburgh to Margate and from Newcastle to London, making it easy for children to get involved wherever their journey begins. <\/p>\n

With the government backing 2026 as the National Year of Reading, the initiative comes at a crucial time for families. New research from The Reading Agency shows nearly two-thirds (64%) of parents are worried about children being bored during the summer holidays and over half (51%) struggle to keep them engaged and stimulated. At the same time, over two-thirds (68%) say the rising cost of summer activities puts pressure on their family.<\/p>\n

As families look for affordable ways to keep children entertained and connected, the research highlights reading as a simple, attainable activity that can positively support children\u2019s wellbeing.<\/p>\n

More than four in five parents (84%) believe reading benefits their child\u2019s mental wellbeing, while 87% say it helps children build confidence or emotional skills. Meanwhile, four in five (80%) say getting lost in books helps children feel less lonely. <\/p>\n

Reading has also been shown to improve children\u2019s connection to others, with 71% of parents saying their child is more likely to read if their friends are reading.<\/p>\n

This is the first partnership of its kind between all four rail companies, supporting families looking for affordable and enriching ways to spend time together this summer. With railcards and family fares available across the networks, travelling by train offers a convenient way to access cultural destinations and days out. By encouraging reading enroute, this initiative helps make every journey part of the adventure.<\/p>\n

Image credit: LNER<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Sara Pascoe has helped LNER launch a new campaign encouraging families to turn their train journeys into reading time this summer. The comedian and host of the Weirdos Book Club podcast, a book review podcast now in its fifth season, kicked off the campaign today by treating schoolchildren to pop-up reading sessions on trains travelling [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16013,8221,47,16016,85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-474399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general-interest","category-people","category-rail-news","category-train-operating-companies","category-uk"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t