Agent gives the gift of reading to thousands of kids in the North West

Liverpool Marketing company, Agent, is bringing back its festive giving campaign, All You Read is Love, for a third year.

The campaign will build on previous success, donating thousands of books to children and young people across the North West.

Initially launched in 2020, the agency has dedicated the past two festive seasons to giving back to the local community, spreading joy through the gift of books. Agent, which has studios in Liverpool and Manchester, has recruited clients and partners to lend a helping hand in donating books that inspired them when they were young, to spread some festive cheer to those who need it most this year.

The campaign has seen incredible growth over the past two years and Agent is aiming to surpass last year’s record of giving away more than £10,000 worth of books, with the help of donations from businesses and individuals to reach even more young people this Christmas.

Books donated during the campaign are delivered to organisations, charities and community groups who work with children across the region.

As well as buying from local independent bookstores, and encouraging others to do so too, this year, given the cost-of-living crisis, the agency is encouraging the donation of second-hand books, to minimise any expenses.

Paul Corcoran, CEO of Agent, said:

“For many families, Christmas can be the hardest time of year. Particularly in a time of economic crisis, it’s really important to help wherever we can and that includes spreading some Christmas joy!

“The delight that books bring is unmatched so it’s a no brainer for us to share this gift with the children and young people of our local communities across the North West. The past two years have seen an incredible amount of books donated and we want to go even bigger and better this year. We encourage everyone to get involved and donate any new or well kept, second-hand books so that we can make a difference this Christmas, big or small.”

The campaign will also focus on supporting emerging, new writers, as well as those from underrepresented groups, such as LGBTQ+ and BAME authors. Each book will include a handwritten message for the recipient, including who their book was chosen by, and why.

In previous years books have been donated to the likes of LFC Foundation, Forever Manchester, Manchester City Council’s Foster for Manchester, Nugent, and The Regenda Group.

Matt Parish, CEO at LFC Foundation, said:

“This is the second year that we have been able to distribute books to some of our participants thanks to Agent’s ‘All You Read is Love’ campaign. 

“Access to books for children when not at school should be a right and not a privilege, and this project gives us the opportunity to enhance the lives of young people we support within the Liverpool City Region, especially during the Christmas period.”

Yasmin Bibi, Participation & Engagement Lead at Manchester City Council, said:

“A huge thank you to all the team at Agent, your kind donation of books was a precious gift to our children and young people. A priceless gift that encourages lifelong learning.” 

Vicki Snowden, Community Builder at Forever Manchester, said:

“It was wonderful to be involved in the ‘All you read is Love’ campaign. The box was left in a community centre used by many community groups and people were encouraged to take a book and if they wanted, bring it back and take another.

“An added benefit to this meant that groups were able to meet one and other who wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to meet, as they were able to access the books during the centres opening hours.”