Belfast Council's Initiative: Building a Haven of Stories for Refugee Children

Belfast City Council's Initiative: Building a Haven of Stories for Refugee Children

Elected representatives at a City Hall committee meeting this month unanimously agreed to a recommendation by council officials to grant approval for an agreement with the Book Trust and the Belfast Trust’s Family Help Clinic. They have agreed to build a library of age-appropriate children’s books in the most likely needed languages and for the Family Help Clinic to distribute the materials to families recently located in permanent accommodation in Belfast. The project will cost the council £2,000.

Benefits of Reading in Own Language

A council report for the City Hall People and Communities Committee states: “The benefits to children who read in their own language include improved cognition, literacy, communication, socialisation, attachment and cultural confidence. Parental literacy and prioritisation of reading skills for children can be a barrier to child development.

Supporting Literacy for Refugee Children

Working in partnership through a formal agreement with existing service providers will provide the best solution to supporting literacy for refugee children, once they are located in permanent accommodation in Belfast. Temporary accommodation refers to the hotel venues hosting refugee children, their families and other adults on a temporary basis until more appropriate permanent residency arrangements are available.