The Story Access Fund
“It’s wonderful to see the children so engaged in Helicopter Stories, they don’t want to stop! They’re even acting out stories on their own from books!”
Suzanne Harrison - Reception Teacher
Why we created the Story Access Fund
The language gap is growing, but it doesn’t have to.
Every child deserves to hear stories, recite poems, invent characters, and feel the joy of making up their own worlds.
At MakeBelieve Arts, we believe access to story and poetry shouldn’t be a privilege. It should be a right.
We know story and poetry are powerful tools for children’s growth and development. And at a time when many children are hearing fewer stories than ever, we are determined to change that.
That’s why we created the Story Access Fund, to help bring our programmes to the settings and schools that need them most.
“If you’ve been read to, as a child, by someone who cares about you, you have been given an enormous invisible privilege. If you haven’t been given that privilege, then you’ve been left with an enormous mountain to climb.”
Frank Cottrell-Boyce
(Reading Rights Report 2024 - The Book Trust)
How it works
We build relationships with local authorities to help us reach underserved communities, and we prioritise SEND resource bases and settings supporting children with additional needs. Alongside this, individual schools, settings and childminders can apply directly for discounted access to selected programmes.
The Story Access Fund is powered by the MakeBelieve Arts community through sales, donations, and the support of trusts and foundations that share our belief in the power of story.
10% of every sale goes directly into the Story Access Fund, alongside generous donations and grant support, helping us bring story and poetry to more children who need it most.
Want to apply?
Download application form
We are currently accepting applications.
Want to help us reach further?
If you’d like to support the fund, your donation will help us bring the joy of story and poetry to even more children.
