Better Start Imagine
October 2016 to September 2024
Better Start Imagine was an enhanced book-gifting scheme, providing children with a book every month from birth to their fourth birthday. It was complemented with weekly story and rhyme time sessions and other activities held in local community venues, to promote the importance of sharing books with young children.
This project was part of the world-renowned Dolly Parton Imagination Library which is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five.
It was delivered as part of the Better Start Bradford programme from 2016 to 2024 by BHT Education and Training.
Why this project was developed
Better Start Imagine aimed to enhance the quality of the home learning environment of children in the Better Start Bradford area by increasing access to books and removing the risk factors associated with parental confidence and understanding.
The story and rhyme time sessions aimed to increase understanding of the importance of books and reading to young children, and the long-term benefits this is known to bring.
Background, impact and findings
Further reading
Download this snapshot of Better Start Imagine, with headline stats, background, impact and learning (PDF).
This report provides an overview of project performance and findings from an implementation and before-and-after outcome evaluation by the Better Start Bradford Innovation Hub.
In this webinar, the Better Start Bradford Innovation Hub, along with Better Start Bradford, explore evaluation findings relating to the I CAN, Better Start Imagine, and Talking Together projects
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five.
The Little Free Libraries is an initiative that brings greater access to books for very young children. Read how Better Place and Better Start Imagine are working together to install 8 Little Free Libraries in our area.
Over 1,000 babies are now receiving a free book every month as part of Better Start Bradford’s free book giving project, Better Start Imagine. In this post, two parents - Noshi and Darryl - share how Better Start Imagine
Lord Mayor officially launched Better Start Imagine at Bolling Hall Museum and Library