“Library of No Returns” pop-up to boost children’s reading and money skills
Experian, in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, is launching a new Library of No Returns pop-up in Walsall to help get more children reading and to highlight the link between early literacy and future financial confidence.
The event at Pelsall Community Centre will create a welcoming, book-focused space where families can discover new stories, enjoy live readings and take a free book home to keep. It forms part of a wider programme donating thousands of free books to communities with the lowest literacy levels, including parts of the Black Country and wider Midlands.
Reading earlier in life, better outcomes later on
The project is built around a simple idea: reading stories earlier in life can help improve your story later in life.
New analysis by Experian of millions of UK credit profiles, combined with data on each constituency’s vulnerability to low literacy, shows a strong link between reading skills and financial health. In constituencies with the highest vulnerability to poor literacy, average credit scores are 6–12% lower than the national average of 850.
Research from the National Literacy Trust shows:
Children with strong reading skills are four times more likely to have good financial skills than those with poor literacy (35.6% vs 8.8%).
Children in the lowest quartile for reading ability are more than six times more likely to be in the lowest quartile for financial capability.
Several constituencies in and around the region, including Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent and Walsall, are among those with the highest vulnerability to low literacy, underlining the need for targeted support and better access to books.
Books, advice and a space to talk money
During the Pelsall event, families will be able to:
- Browse a curated selection of children’s books
- Enjoy live storytelling sessions from visiting authors
- Take home a free book to keep and enjoy
Experian experts will also be on hand to offer parents and carers informal guidance on building financial confidence, with tea and coffee available to create a relaxed space for questions and conversation.
John Webb, Head of Consumer Affairs at Experian UK&I, said:
“People often think of literacy and financial wellbeing as separate issues, but they are closely connected. If children are supported to build strong reading skills early on, they are better placed to understand the world around them, make informed decisions and feel confident managing money later in life.
“Through our partnership with the National Literacy Trust, we want to help more children access books, enjoy reading and build foundations that can open up better opportunities in the future.”
Thousands of free books for communities that need them most
The Library of No Returns is part of a wider campaign that will see more than 5,000 books distributed to communities with lower literacy levels, with further book drops planned in Stoke, Merthyr Tydfil and Nottingham after the Walsall launch.
A supporting donation drive will run through The Big Give, with Experian matching donations to raise additional funds for the National Literacy Trust’s work in communities facing the biggest literacy challenges.
Family-focused influencers will support the campaign by attending the event and helping raise awareness of how low literacy can affect children’s futures.
Jason Vit, from the National Literacy Trust, said:
“Experian’s literacy vulnerability score has been pivotal in helping the National Literacy Trust target the areas in which we focus our place-based approach, supporting children and families who are facing the biggest literacy challenges.
“Today’s activity in Walsall is a fantastic example of how we work with the local community to engage families with reading for pleasure, which supports a child’s literacy skills and can benefit their confidence, wellbeing, academic attainment, and even their financial literacy later in life.”