Every Child Our Future is inviting public support for a new initiative focused on helping more children access reading opportunities through dedicated reading devices.
In light of recent UK government guidance encouraging limited screen use for children under five, the charity is acknowledging the importance of thoughtful, age-appropriate approaches to screen exposure while continuing to champion accessible ways for children to engage with books and develop a lifelong love of reading.
As part of its Big Jersey Read campaign, the charity is launching The Big Reading Device Revival this June, a community donation drive collecting pre-loved e-readers such as Kindles. These devices are designed specifically for reading and will be refurbished and redistributed to families who would benefit from additional access to books in a convenient, child-friendly format.
The initiative is being delivered in partnership with Phone Doctor and forms part of the charity’s tenth anniversary celebrations. Members of the public are encouraged to donate reading devices they no longer use (Kindles released after 2012), helping extend the life of these tools and ensuring they can continue to support children’s literacy.
Throughout June, donations can be dropped off at the Phone Doctor store. Devices requiring minor repairs or light refurbishment are also welcome. Phone Doctor will oversee the secure collection of all items, including data wiping and refurbishment during July, ensuring each device is safely prepared for its next user.
Once ready, the refurbished reading devices will be distributed to families who wish to use them as a way to access e-books and support reading at home. The aim is to reduce barriers to reading and provide practical, accessible options for children to enjoy stories and build confidence with books.
Cris Lakeman, CEO of Every Child Our Future, said: “As we celebrate ten years of supporting children and families, we remain focused on helping every child develop a love of reading. We recognise recent guidance around screen use for younger children and fully support a balanced approach. This initiative is about providing access to dedicated reading devices for families who find them helpful, ensuring more children can engage with books in a way that works for them.
We are incredibly grateful to Phone Doctor for partnering with us to make this possible.”
João Neves, owner of Phone Doctor, said: “We are proud to support Every Child Our Future and give unused reading devices a meaningful second life. Many households have e-readers that are no longer in use, and with careful refurbishment they can become a valuable resource for families. We’re pleased to play a part in helping these devices continue to support reading and learning.”
