Bookmark donates £124,000 worth of books to primary schools in Wolverhampton

Bookmark Reading charity delivered over 200 books to Nishkam Primary School in Wolverhampton. This was 1 of 62 schools that received Story Corner packages, as part of our Your Story Corner programme – an initiative aimed at schools in disadvantaged communities, to encourage a whole school reading culture and to provide children with literacy resources needed to spark the joy of reading.

Joined by renowned journalist and author, Sathnam Sanghera, we had the pleasure of celebrating this joyous event with four enthusiastic year 6 pupils, who eagerly unpacked the boxes containing high-quality books. Their excitement was palpable as they discovered the diverse range of books available.

One, particularly excited, pupil exclaimed ​“This is my favourite series! I’ve never had the actual book before! I’m so excited!’ This highlights the immediate impact these resources had on the students and shows the importance of giving children access to a wide range of literature.

By donating books and literacy resources, we aim to give children the tools they need to develop literacy skills and a love for reading.

Meet Sathnam Sanghera

Sathnam delivered an engaging presentation on British Imperialism and aimed to inspire pupils to spark a lifelong love for reading through sharing his personal experiences growing up.

His insightful talk sparked the interest of many pupils, prompting thoughtful questions and lively discussions. Having grown up in a disadvantaged part of Wolverhampton and attending a school nearby, Sathnam’s story resonated with the pupils, many of whom saw parallels in their own lives and were inspired by his achievements.

Prior to the school visit, we had the chance to speak with Wolverhampton-local, Sathnam about his own experiences growing up in a disadvantaged part of Wolverhampton.

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Growing up in Park Village influenced Sathnam’s work and interests. Reflecting on his childhood, he mentioned, ​‘I grew up as a child of immigrants in a big Sikh family. Everyone, all the men in my family and the women actually, most of the women worked in factories. My father couldn’t read and write. He still can’t read or write. When I started school, I couldn’t speak English.’

Starting school without the ability to speak English was a hurdle for Sathnam. ​“Not being able to read or write holds you back and cuts you off from society” he emphasised. However, despite these challenges, thanks to the support of his mother and dedicated teachers, Sathnam worked hard and found a love for literacy that was crucial in shaping his future.

THE ROAD TO BECOMING AN AUTHOR

Sathnam’s journey was one of persistence and resilience. He faced numerous rejections and challenges along the way. ​“I remember applying for 300 work experience placements and I got three offers”, he recounted. But despite these setbacks, he remained determined and found himself in the world of journalism.

Eventually he published his first book, The Boy with the Top Knot, which reflects his personal journey and the complexities of his upbringing. Since he has published several books, including one that’s aimed at a younger audience: Stolen History.

HISTORICAL STORYTELLING

British imperialism is a central theme in Sathnam’s work and was the main topic in his presentation to year 5 and 6 pupils. In his books, he uses personal experiences, relationships, dialogue and feelings to point out the significant but overlooked connections between Britain’s imperial past and modern society.

During his presentation, Sathnam applied several creative storytelling techniques to make the historical content more relatable for the children. By making connections between everyday topics like food, football and the Scouts and their historical roots, Sathnam made the subject relatable and intriguing. He explained ​“that there’s lots of things in children’s lives that can be explained by the empire”.

He aims to make history ​“accessible to lots of people” and believes that, through literature and school visits, he can help children to think critically about history and its relevance to today’s world.

SATHNAM’S INSPIRATIONS

Sathnam’s story teaches us about the transformative power of literacy and the impact this can have on children’s lives in school and beyond. Sathnam said that he had ​“an amazing English teacher who got [him] inspired” and despite the expectation for him to work in a factory, his supportive mother also encouraged him to pursue his dream career.

Sathnam’s journey from a child with no books at home to an acclaimed author and journalist underscores the transformative power of literacy.

Through his visits and writing, Sathnam hopes to inspire young readers to realise their potential. He said that ​“books are such a big part of everyone’s lives”, so by exposing children to the world of books and the possibilities they hold, he aims to broaden their horizons and empower them to dream big.

Like Sathnam, Bookmark’s mission is to inspire a love for reading and to empower children to realise their own potential. Through donating a range of diverse and inclusive books as part of our Your Story Corner programme, we aim to make reading accessible and to provide children with the same opportunities that helped shape Sathnam’s life.

We also aim to inspire children to discover the power of reading through our volunteer-led reading programme. You can be the role model a child needs to discover a love of reading. Sign up to our reading programme and be the change in a child’s life so they can discover their full potential.

Sathnam said, ​“You can only dream as far as you can see.” Imagine if you could be the role model who helps a child see further. So join us and make a lasting impact on children who need us the most.