Community involvement

Scottish Friendly is proud to support reading and literacy in Scotland.

For ten years we have sponsored Words on Wheels, an outreach tour organised by Scottish Book Trust, the independent organisation promoting literacy through reading in Scotland. Each year, hundreds of children have enjoyed taking part in the interactive literary sessions led by touring authors, illustrators and poets.

Recognition of our sponsorship activity culminated in two major awards presented in 2005: the Arts & Kids national award and the Arts & Business Scotland Arts & Kids award.

These two awards were for the Scottish Friendly Children's Laureate tour in 2004 when Michael Morpurgo met over 6,000 children from 150 schools across Scotland including remote areas.

The Scottish Friendly Words on Wheels tour got off to a flying start in 2007 when award-winning Glasgow-based author Julie Bertagna toured schools in the North East of Scotland reading excerpts from her new novel, Zenith, an epic tale which follows the adventures of 16-year old Mara in a world devastated and flooded by people's misuse of the planet. Julie's previous novel, Exodus, was short listed for the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year.

Scottish Friendly and Scottish Book Trust, through the Words and Wheels programme, had a fantastic 2006 with authors visiting children throughout Scotland. The tour had been organised by Scottish Book Trust which Scottish Friendly has sponsored for 10 years now with its 'Words on Wheels' touring programme which aims to encourage a love of reading and promote literacy across Scotland, particularly in rural and remote areas.

The 2006 tour began in January with author Jacqueline Wilson undertaking a 4 day tour around Scotland speaking to over 1,500 children about her life as well as delighting her audience with a sneak preview from the not yet published 'Starring Tracy Beaker'.

Other events included Kenneth Steven, visiting a number of schools for a series of storytelling sessions and poetry readings, Simon Puttock, winner of Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children's books, thrilling P1-P4 classes with his picture books and writing tips and Graham Marks, reading extracts from his latest book 'Snatched'.

Darren Shan spoke to over 1,000 children who helped Him act out a scene from his first book, 'Cirque du Freak.' Drama specialist, Pam Wardell and guest artist, Katy Wilson hosted 3 events where they brought the fantastic 'Mrs Armitage on Wheels' by Quentin Blake to life.

The tour finished in December with author Beth Webb visiting schools to give creative writing workshops in a bid to inspire first year pupils to develop a love of literature.

For more information on Scottish Book Trust and the Words and Wheels tour visit http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/