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The Big Read

Completing Britain’s cultural story through literacy

Overview

The Big Read is a schools-based literacy and cultural engagement programme designed to place Caribbean stories, authors, and perspectives at the heart of reading and learning.

The programme uses books, storytelling, and discussion to help young people see themselves reflected in what they read — while inviting all pupils to engage with a richer, more inclusive literary landscape.

At its core, The Big Read is about confidence, representation, and belonging.

Program Details

Why this programme matters

Reading shapes how young people understand the world — and themselves.

When pupils never encounter stories that reflect their heritage or lived experience, confidence can suffer and engagement declines. The Big Read addresses this by making Caribbean literature visible, accessible, and valued within school settings.

This is not about replacing the canon — it is about completing it.

What the Programme Delivers

  • Curated Caribbean and Caribbean-British reading materials
  • Facilitated reading and discussion sessions
  • Author talks and storytelling workshops (where possible)
  • Teacher resource packs aligned to curriculum objectives
  • Opportunities for creative responses (writing, art, reflection)

Outcomes & Impact

For pupils:

  • Improved engagement with reading
  • Increased confidence and cultural awareness
  • Greater empathy and understanding across communities

For schools:

  • Support for literacy, English, and PSHE objectives
  • Inclusive curriculum enrichment
  • Strong pupil engagement and participation

How to Get Involved

For Schools & Education Partners

OCACH works with primary and secondary schools across the UK to deliver high-quality cultural programmes that enrich learning, build confidence, and support inclusion.

Schools can get involved by:

  • Registering interest to host the programme

  • Partnering with OCACH as part of curriculum enrichment or themed weeks

  • Collaborating on delivery models that suit their pupils and timetable

Where possible, programmes are fully or partially subsidised through sponsorship and grant funding, ensuring that participation is not limited by school budgets.

Schools interested in taking part are encouraged to get in touch to discuss availability, delivery formats, and scheduling.

→ Register Your School’s Interest

For Sponsors & Funding Partners

OCACH relies on the support of sponsors and funding partners to deliver these programmes at scale and ensure access for schools across multiple communities.

By sponsoring this programme, partners help to:

  • Fund programme delivery in schools

  • Remove financial barriers to participation

  • Support cultural education, confidence, and wellbeing for young people

  • Create visible, measurable social impact

Sponsorship opportunities include:

  • Programme-level sponsorship

  • Funding delivery in specific schools or regions

  • Supporting materials, facilitators, and showcases

All sponsors receive appropriate recognition and visibility, with opportunities to align their brand with meaningful, nationally relevant cultural impact.

→ Sponsor This Programme
→ Download the Programme Sponsorship Overview


Why Sponsorship Matters

Without funding, these programmes cannot be delivered.

Sponsorship ensures that:

  • Skilled facilitators are paid fairly

  • High-quality materials and resources are provided

  • Schools in under-resourced communities are not excluded

  • OCACH can deliver programmes consistently and sustainably

Every sponsored programme helps us move closer to our mission of completing Britain’s cultural story.

Why your Support Matters

Funding enables OCACH to:

  • Source and distribute culturally relevant books
  • Train facilitators and educators
  • Deliver workshops at scale
  • Subsidise participation for schools with limited budgets

Without funding, access to these stories remains uneven and limited.

Program Sponsors

Official OCACH Partners