Children and families in Torquay will be able to swap screens for stories this summer when The Works' travelling Find Your Story bus visits the town as part of a national campaign to promote reading.
Free books, workshops and reading passports
The bus, which visits towns across the UK, will bring free books, author workshops, craft activities and character meet-and-greets to the area during the school holidays. The exact date for the Torquay stop is yet to be announced, with organisers saying details will follow.
The initiative forms part of The Works' contribution to the National Year of Reading and is being run alongside the retailer's Screen-free Summer drive. As part of the campaign, the company is distributing more than 100,000 free 'Find Your Story' reading passports to children nationwide; the passports are available in stores from 27 July.
Encouraging a summer of reading
The passports invite children to read four books over the holidays while completing simple activities to expand their experience of stories and discover new authors. The Works says every stop on the bus tour will host interactive sessions designed to make reading feel like an adventure rather than a chore.
"Reading should be an adventure that every child can enjoy, especially during the summer holidays," said Gavin Peck, Chief Executive of The Works. "That's why we're delighted to be giving away over 100,000 free Find Your Story Passports, helping children celebrate every book they read and discover stories they'll love."
Local parents and carers will be able to visit the bus with their children to pick up free titles and take part in creative workshops aimed at developing a love of stories away from screens.
Why the campaign matters locally
Research commissioned by The Works, cited as part of the campaign, points to habits that campaigners say make such initiatives important. The study found that a substantial share of children tend to re-read the same books and that many only read because it is required for school. Those findings were used to inform the content of the bus activities and the reading passport challenge.
| Survey finding | Share |
|---|---|
| Children who regularly re-read the same books | 39% |
| Children who say they only read because of school | 48% |
| Parents who believe less screen time would encourage more reading | 43% |
| Parents saying screens change how young people experience stories | 84% |
For Torquay — a town where seaside days and long summer evenings are part of family life — the bus offers an opportunity to turn some of that leisure time into a low-cost, community-centred learning experience. Book giveaways and creative sessions can also help local libraries, schools and youth groups by promoting titles and activities that keep children reading beyond the holiday.
- Find Your Story Passports available in The Works stores from 27 July.
- Bus visits Torquay and Newton Abbot during the school holidays — specific Torquay date to be announced.
- Activities include free books, author workshops, crafts and meet-and-greets.
Parents and guardians are advised to keep an eye on announcements from The Works for the confirmed Torquay timetable and locations. In the meantime, the campaign's nationwide reach and free resources provide a timely boost for families looking to encourage reading during the long summer break.
For many of us by the sea, a well-chosen book can be as restorative as a breath of salt air — and the Find Your Story bus aims to place that choice directly into children's hands.
