Duchess of Cornwall supports literacy campaign

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall joined Peterborough schoolchildren and local businesses on Wednesday (3 February) to celebrate the work of the National Literacy Trust Hub in the city.

It is one of three National Literacy Trust Hubs across the UK which are piloting area-specific programmes in a bid to increase literacy levels among children.

The hub is run in partnership between the National Literacy Trust and Peterborough City Council, and is supported with funding from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. It works with a variety of local partners, including business and media, to host programmes and activities which aim to boost literacy, while focusing on the groups it believes are most in need.

Supporting the local hub, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall visited the city to join a literature festival at Peterborough Cathedral which was attended by more than 300 schoolchildren. She also visited Boots Opticians, which is a partner of the National Literacy Trust.

Staff at the multiple spoke to the Duchess, who is also a Patron of the Trust, about the links between eye health and literacy.

Managing director of Boots Opticians, Ben Fletcher, commented: “We are delighted to have the support of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and hope to inspire young people to keep their eyes healthy and aid them in unlocking new opportunities through reading.”

Speaking about the multiple’s broader partnership with the National Literacy Trust, Mr Fletcher added: “We are passionate about children’s eye health and the impact good vision can have on a child’s ability to reach their full potential.

“We know that good vision is the foundation for learning, but it is estimated that around one million children in the UK have an undiagnosed vision problem, which could delay reading development. It is our ambition to change this by supporting young children through the work of the National Literacy Trust, our new school vision screening programme, school volunteering and community work in Peterborough and across the UK.”