Literacy in Bootle is ranked in the lowest 6% in the UK (National Literacy Trust) and this coupled with a lack of opportunity and aspiration means that young people growing up in Bootle are at a much greater disadvantage to young people in more affluent areas of the country and even our own borough. 

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This is simply not acceptable, and Ykids have made it our mission to give the children and young people of Bootle the ability to experience as many inspiring and aspirational cultural, artistic and educational opportunities as possible in order to promote mental and physical wellbeing and positive life outcomes. As literacy is a key to positive mental health, better attainment, and raising aspirations, we set out to impact as many children as possible through engaging them in literacy through story, literature and the arts.

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Kingsley & Co , our literacy project, is a steampunk/Victorian explorer themed magical children’s bookshop designed to delight and enthral children and adults alike and draw them into a world of story and imagination. It features a café, moving bookcases, magic doors, a secret classroom and a hands on ‘discovery room.’

Based in the heart of our community in the Strand Shopping Centre, Kingsley & Co is the setting for the BCLF23 and offers a large indoor space for pop up exhibitions and performances and gives the opportunity to reach large numbers of the local community.