BIGCITYREADS IMPACTREPORT 2024
PROJECTOVERVIEW
The six-week long project saw 2,000 books distributed across Nottinghamshire, predominantly within the city boundaries. The books were selected from a long-list of 56 young adult titles that were subsequently chosen by Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature Youth Ambassadors and the Youth Board. They included three novels and graphic novel. The theme of this year’s project was ‘Belonging’ and the books chosen contained themes and motifs of inclusion, acceptance and identity. The project included partnerships with local schools to foster and maintain working relationships, whilst also promoting Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature’s wider aims to build a better world with books. Authors of the four chosen books held workshops in schools across Nottinghamshire to encourage students to read and engage with the texts. This was the third iteration of the project, and the 2022 campaign had a reach of over half a million.
This year’s reach was approximately 1 million people and a full breakdown can be found further down.
BIG CITY READS
FOUR BOOKS
“This book is more than just an escape story. It's a real portrayal of the challenges refugees face [...] As a Ukrainian, I read this book with tears in my eyes because it accurately and sensitively portrays the feelings and experiences of those touched by the war.”
Anastasiia Denysiv, Seven Million Sunflowers review for LeftLion
“The world-building in this novel is truly impressive and I instantly fell in love with the plot. [...] Tyrell subtly interweaves themes of loss and love which made me reflect on my own life, and the relationships I have with family and the environment.”
Daniella Hoyland,
Vern: Custodian of the Universe review for LeftLion
FOUR BOOKS
“This astounding novel has an incredible play on emotions and thoughts and I would personally like to recommend Stand Up Ferran Burke to any book lover or anyone who wants something fresh and engaging to read.”
Kelsi, Stand Up Ferran Burke review for LeftLion
“Science fiction had never really been my thing, but I absolutely inhaled this book [...] The lesson Delahaye teaches through this book is one all young people should hear, as she crafts a world where nature is a novelty, and true connections are rare.”
Mia Hagues, Electric Life review for LeftLion
PROJECT PARTNERS AND DELIVERY
A range of schools took part, including alternative provision, special schools and FE colleges. This included not only receiving the books but also authors visits to our Young Voices Amplified partner schools (Bulwell Academy, Bluecoat Beechdale Academy, Nottingham University Samworth Academy) and Nottingham Girls Academy (who took part in Our City Our Stories).
Twelve Nottingham City libraries took part and Nottingham Central Library distributed books on our behalf to: Bilborough, Hyson Green, Bulwell, Clifton, Sherwood, Southglade, St Anns, Meadows, Wollaton and Central. This enabled us to extend our reach beyond the constraints of the NCoL resources.
60,000 steps walked
9,257 Facebook reach
9,560 Instagram reach
Media reach estimated 990,000* Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature staff also handed out books to cultural organisations and cafes around the city.
*figures calculated from TV and Radio viewing figures, tram usage figures and NCoL newsletter reach
MEDIA COVERAGE
RADIO
1 July, BBC Radio Nottingham breakfast show (live)
1 July, BBC Radio Nottingham afternoon show (live)
TELEVISION
June, Notts TV Book Club Big City Reads special 17th June, Notts TV, ‘Notts Today’ (live) 14th August, Notts TV, ‘Notts Today’ (live)
EVENTS PARTNERS
SCHOOLS
Malcolm Duffy, author of Seven Million Sunflowers, spoke to Year 8 students at Bluecoat Beechdale Academy - a School of Sanctuaryabout becoming an author and the plight of Ukrainian refugees.
Steven Camden, author of Stand Up Ferran Burke, delivered an interactive workshop for Year 9 and 10 students at Bulwell Academy about turning everyday life into extraordinary stories.
Rachel Delahaye, author of Electric Life, will visit Nottingham University Samworth Academy and Nottingham Girls Academy to answer students’ questions about her book and the themes it addresses.
Nottingham Ukrainian Cultural Centre hosted a talk and Q&A with Malcolm Duffy. They were interested in finding out more about why Malcolm came to write Seven Million Sunflowers.
Switch Up and Nottingham School of Boxing welcomed Steven Camden for a quickfire session on finding inspiration for stories.
Participants were eager to get their free copies of Stand Up Ferran Burke signed by the author!
At Nottingham Central Library, local creative Peter Rumney delivered a comics and graphic novel workshop at Nottingham Central Library, drawing inspiration from Vern: Custodian of the U i d ith l i e insights from US-based author-
122 people attended a Big City Reads event
PROSE
PROSE FEEDBACKAND SUGGESTIONS
What can we improve on BCR?
“Nothing! It is the best”
Survey feedback
“It was really nice to see the Boxers enjoying themselves and doing something different. The feedback I gathered from the boxers was that they really enjoyed the interactiveness of the workshop and said that they thought Steven was a very fun and cool guy.”
Workshop feedback from an author visit
“Thank you for including us in Big City Reads. Our members really appreciated it. We have one book left which I am sure will go in the next sessions.”
Feedback from Meadows Foodbank and Pantry
Feedback from a workshop at Bluecoat Beechdale Academy:
“I think the students left with plenty to think about and I am sure they will be interested in following up by actually reading the book. I will certainly propose we do this with a small cohort that attends the School of Sanctuary committee.”
PROSE PROSE PARTNER FEEDBACK
“All of the parents thanked us for their books which will be shared with other younger siblings as they grow.”
Feedback from a community group “Everyone was extremely happy to get such great books for FREE.”
Tourist Information Centre
“Students who received a free book were very positive and appreciative.”
Feeback from a school (above) and cultural org (below)
“As soon as I put the books down a couple of parents grabbed a book each (the same book) and I overheard them talking about the book saying to each other that this is the book they were talking about and took them for their children.”
“One excited child and the book was finished in one day. “
“Young people who dont have the funds to buy books had access to books which enabled them to see the real value in reading. “
Feedback from two community groups
Did you enjoy your book?
SURVEYDATA
Maybe, 14.3% Would you recommend your book? How many books do you read on average, a year?
Yes, 71.4%
Predominantly, responses advised that they picked up their book from schools or libraries.
57.1% of those who picked up a book were aged 12-17. Seven Million Sunflowers and Stand Up Ferran Burke were the most popular books.
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
Creation of new partnerships
Partnerships were created with organisations who had not worked with Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature previously, or relationships with existing partners were strengthened.
First time delivering a project with Switch Up.
Consolidated our partnership with Nottingham Ukrainian Cultural Centre, who hosted an author event.
Increased brand awareness
Brand awareness and interaction has seen a noticeable increase during the campaign period: Facebook reach up by 54.6% during campaign Instagram reach up by 397.3% during campaign
Subheading
We encouraged 14.3% of non-reading young people to read a book over the summer.
Doubled project reach compared with 2022