Doorstep Library is a community-focused literacy charity dedicated to bringing the magic of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children who need our support. With one in four 11-year-olds leaving primary school unable to read or write properly, we recruit and train home and online reading volunteers to go into disadvantaged areas of London and beyond to help introduce young children (aged 0-11 years) to the pleasure and benefits of reading.

Our work is concentrated in areas where we know opportunities for reading are restricted – there may be limited access to books in the home or language barriers may be preventing parents or carers from being able to provide additional reading support to the children in their care.

Equipped with a reading stool and a backpack brimming with books, our volunteers are right there ready to help and inspire. Our unique home-based service, whether in person or online, enables us to find the most
appropriate books for every child we visit and build a relationship with the whole family. We use books to fuel children’s natural love of stories, fire their imaginations, and encourage their appreciation of reading.

Our goal is to help children develop the self-confidence and essential skills they need to access all the opportunities that will come their way in life. We also empower parents/carers to create and maintain a
supportive environment by signposting them to local services and community support. Our projects not only improve literacy but also increase family well-being and bonding. Our tailored service enables us to help prepare children for school and broaden their opportunities in later life.

Our impact is long-lasting. For us, the ‘happy ever after’ is when we know the power of literacy and the joy of reading are helping a child change their own story for good. Every story shared is a story changed.