Surrey Quays Shopping Centre gifts hundreds of books to families in need

Surrey Quays Shopping Centre has gifted £1,250 worth of books to Time & Talents to be given to children from vulnerable families across Rotherhithe.

The donation means that Time & Talents has been able to choose hundreds of books to be distributed across the community to help ensure that local children have stories to read for enjoyment at home, something which is essential to their literacy development.

The initiative has been led by Surrey Quays’ co-owner, British Land, and the National Literacy Trust through their ongoing partnership which is now in its tenth year.

This latest contribution is part of the shopping centre’s broader work in the community, which included the donation of 300 books during the first lockdown last year, as well as the installation of a Giving Box in Surrey Quays where visitors can make contactless donations to Time & Talents, Surrey Docks Farm, Southwark Young Carers (Imago) and The Mayor of Southwark’s Common Good Trust.

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The pandemic has impacted the families we work with in all kinds of ways, and we’re incredibly thankful for all of the support British Land has given to us. These book donations have helped children of all ages across our community who might not have had access to them otherwise.

Sarah Gibb, Director at Time and Talents Association

We have a longstanding relationship with the team at Time & Talents and right now it has never been more important to ensure they can continue to support those in need in our local community

Ian Moore, centre manager at Surrey Quays

We know that 1 in 11 disadvantaged children do not have a single book at home and that this can be hugely detrimental to their development. Initiatives like these ensure local families have books to enjoy at home, and children’s imaginations and literacy skills can continue to thrive.

Jonathan Douglas, chief executive of the National Literacy Trust