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Wrexham Author Hosts School Reading Project

by Adam Howarth, Editor
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Children Today's Reading For Life advert

Wrexham Author Hosts School Reading Project – author, speaker, and confidence expert Cat Williams from Holt is to host a national children’s reading project, “Reading For Life“, organised by Chester-based children’s disability charity, Children Today Charitable Trust.

Disability And Neurodiversity

The project will run online storytelling events involving authors, including paralympic gold medallist Danielle Brown MBE, Kate Foster and Matt Stephenson. It aims to spread awareness of disability and neurodiversity and celebrate inclusion and diversity, and it has been made possible through funding through the Cheshire West Crowd

Cat is a clinical hypnotherapist, speaker and author, who specialises in building people’s confidence and will host each session. She said: “ As a confidence specialist and therapist, I’m passionate about building emotional awareness, self-belief and self-esteem as young as possible for people across all diversities and circumstances.

“I particularly wanted to support Children Today’s Reading for Life project because we all communicate at our best through stories. Stories transform lives by resonating through time and change the way we see ourselves, others and the world on an emotional level.”

“We’re all made up of the stories we’ve been told and the stories we tell ourselves. The stories that have guided and transformed me along the way have unquestionably transformed my career journey.

Cat Williams and Danielle Brown
Cat Williams and Danielle Brown

“We’re Thrilled”

The online events will run until May 2025 and feature 12 sessions. Each session will include a live reading by an author and also a questions and answers session for children to ask their own questions. 

Emma Prescott, charity director at Children Today, said: “We’re thrilled to have been awarded £5000 from the Cheshire West Community Innovation Fund towards Reading for Life and would like to thank everyone who donated to the campaign.

“Reading for Life is all about bringing more inclusive stories with disabled and neurodivergent characters to our children’s classrooms and beyond, sharing positive messaging about disability, celebrating our differences and encouraging inclusivity.

“The disabled and neurodivergent community are very underrepresented in children’s stories, and we want disabled and neurodivergent children to feel included, heard and inspired. Likewise, it’s just as important that we encourage non-disabled children to understand and celebrate how our minds and bodies can be different.”

Children Today

Children Today is working with Cheshire Education Library Services, Cheshire Public Library Services and Building Your Confidence Ltd to deliver the event programme.

The first event took place in December, with debut author Marc Bratcher and illustrator Korky Paul – well known for his illustrations of the Winnie and Wilbur series – who will be sharing their festive tale, One Snowy Christmas Eve.

The cover of One Snowy Christmas Eve by Marc Bratcher (Author) and Korky Paul (Illustrator)

The programme will also see two-time gold paralympic gold medallist and author Danielle Brown, MBE, share excerpts from Run Like a Girl and Girls Rule, celebrating female role models in sport and throughout history. Kate Foster, who is Autistic, will introduce her neurodiverse heroine Harriet Hound.

Visit childrentoday.org.uk/events to learn more about the events or register to participate.

The full line-up of events is as follows:

  • Thursday 16th January 2025 – Kate Foster, The Bravest Word
  • Monday 27th January 2025 – Danielle Brown, Run Like a Girl
  • Monday 3rd February 2025 – Matt Stephenson, Raz Beri
  • Thursday 13th February 2025 – Charlotte Barkla, All Bodies are Good Bodies
  • Friday 7th March 2025 – Anne Alcott, When Things Get Too Loud
  • Thursday 6th March 2025 – World Book Day – Danielle Brown, Girls Rule
  • Tuesday 18th March 2025 – Kate Foster, Harriet Hound
  • Wednesday 2nd April 2025 – Charlotte Barkla, From My Head To My Toes I Say What Goes
  • Monday 28th April 2025 – Matt Stephenson, Raz Beri
  • Thursday 8th May 2025 – Anne Alcott, This Book Is Overwhelmed
  • Thursday 15th May 2025 – Kate Foster, The Bravest Word
Children Today's Reading For Life advert

About Children Today Charitable Trust

Children Today Charitable Trust started in 1994 and helps disabled children and young adults (up to the age of 25). It provides support, services and specialised equipment. This can include individually adapted electric wheelchairs, walking aids, trikes and specially adapted car seats.

The charity receives no statutory government or NHS funding, relying altogether on voluntary donations from individuals and organisations.

Children Today’s equipment and support are often life-changing. They subsequently lead to improved mental and physical health. This leads to better access to sports and exercise, reduced social isolation, and better education and employment.

Children Today Charitable Trust is a registered charity (No. 1137436).

About Building Your Confidence Ltd

Cat Williams began her career as a physiotherapist in the NHS. As a military wife, she spent many years travelling the world with her husband and two young children.

Cat has delivered two TEDx talks, one in 2015 and one in 2024. She wrote her first book, Stay Calm and Content, in 2012 and is currently writing her second. She is the founder and also the director of Building Your Confidence Limited, which specialises in improving children’s, teenagers and adults’ self-esteem, mental health and resilience. Cat works with individuals, schools and businesses across the UK.

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