This week, eight volunteers from Stoke-on-Trent were hosted by Her Majesty The Queen at a special reception in London in recognition of their work for the National Literacy Trust.

The volunteers included Jayden Lowndes, 10, from Little Chell, and Luo Chen He, 13, from Hanley.

They were two of only six Literacy Champions chosen to meet Her Majesty The Queen, the charity's long-standing patron. 

10-year-old Jayden described his experience as 'absolutely amazing' (National Literacy Trust).

Two years ago, Jayden was a reluctant reader who felt books were not for him. But when his mother Caroline started volunteering with the National Literacy Trust, he took an interest in the charity's activities and decided to give reading for pleasure a try.

Now, he runs a community bookcase from his front garden and a mobile 'library' from the school playground, where every Friday afternoon he wheels out a trolley of books for friends and their families to borrow and enjoy.  

Luo Chen, a student at the Co-op Academy, was invited to the reception on the back of winning a national writing competition. An active member of his schools' Writing Club, his emotive short story about the environment and making change for good won the 'Wicked Writers: Be the Change' competition, in partnership with Wicked the musical.

This recent success has only increased his passion for writing and he hopes his role as a Literacy Champion can inspire his friends and peers to see themselves as writers too.

Jayden and Luo Chen were two of only six Literacy Champions chosen to meet The Queen (National Literacy Trust).

Jayden said: "The whole day has been absolutely amazing! Meeting The Queen was a highlight because she is very important and knows so much about reading. The recognition makes me very proud to be a Literacy Champion and has inspired me to do more within my community."

Luo Chen said: "My highlight was impressing author Francesca Simon with my reading speed and the fact I've just finished War and Peace. I think improving literacy is important because it's more than just a school subject. We use it everywhere and every day. I am looking forward to getting started on another literacy project at school very soon!"

Over the past three decades, the National Literacy Trust has been supporting schools, families and communities on a local and national level to raise literacy levels. It now works directly in 20 areas across the UK – including Stoke-on-Trent– where poverty and low literacy are significantly impacting on people's lives.

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