BRADFORD residents from all the district’s diverse communities have been asked to volunteer to help boost young people’s literacy levels.

The National Literacy Trust is looking for 50 Literary Champions who will help deliver literacy activities in their local communities.

The charity is hoping to find volunteers who reflect Bradford’s diverse communities – a new focus for the Trust’s work in Bradford. They also want people from as many different areas of the district as possible.

It is part of the charity’s Bradford Stories campaign, supported by Bradford Council, and aims to raise literacy levels through a range of projects and activities to promote reading, writing and storytelling.

A recent study from the Trust and Experian found that Bradford was a “high risk” area for literacy issues.

Bradford East is ranked 36 out of 533 constituencies in England for “literacy vulnerability”, where 1 is the most in need of literacy support. Bradford East, South and West constituencies are in the top 15 per cent of greatest literacy vulnerability in the country.

Last year, 43 per cent of children in Bradford left primary school unable to read at the expected level for their age.

The volunteers will be given training and support to help them create and deliver activities to boost literacy in their communities.

Projects that could be taken up by the Literacy Champions include setting up reading groups for adults or children, planning literacy-based outings or competitions, or helping families get involved with their local library or children’s centre.

Imran Hafeez, manager of the National Literacy Trust Hub in Bradford, said: “Local people know their community and the issues facing it better than anyone.

“We need your help to reach the people in Bradford who need help the most. Anyone can be a Literacy Champion – whether you’re a parent, business professional, teacher, student, sports coach or just passionate about making a difference in your local area.

“We want to hear from you.”

The Trust set up its Bradford Hub in 2014 with a view to improving the district’s lower-than-average literacy levels.

Initially the hub was set up for three years, but in November a £197,000 grant from Bradford-based supermarket Morrisons secured the scheme’s future for at least another year.

The Bradford scheme has recently been relaunched at Bradford Stories with an increased focus on the district’s heritage and communities.

Schemes carried out by the Trust in the district in recent years have included events at the Bradford Literature Festival, campaigns to get more fathers reading to their children and high-profile writing contests.

There have also been projects aimed at getting more boys reading.

To get more information about becoming a Literacy Champion, or to sign up to become one, visit literacytrust.org.uk/literacychampions or email bradford@literacytrust.org.uk.