Canterbury Imagine has been a registered charity since 2012 and aims to improve literacy and life chances in Bradford.
All babies living in the Canterbury area of Bradford and in the Manningham ward and around Midland Road can register.
This cost-effective scheme aims to boost long-term literacy and enhance parent/child bonding.
This is what Sharon Hogan, former head teacher of Midland Road nursery school and children's centre, says:
“Supporting early literacy has long been a key feature of the best early years practice and a part of this is working in partnership with parents.
"The significance of children receiving a high-quality story book at home each month cannot be underestimated. It is probably the single most cost-effective strategy to support a sustainable literate home learning environment I have come across.”
Registered children receive a FREE BOOK through the post EVERY MONTH from birth to 5. We do this by affiliating to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Click HERE to check your postcode and register a child.
Canterbury Imagine also tries to fund and facilitate sessions for parents and carers to help them with reading with their children.
If you feel able to donate or want to get your business involved, please contact us
Canterbury Imagine was set up by Jan Winter. She wanted to set up the project on the Canterbury estate after watching the Poor Kids documentary on BBC TV. Jan is pictured here with Dolly Parton, and Councillor Dale Smith, Canterbury Imagine trustee.
Our charity aims are:
To advance the early educational development of children in such areas of Bradford as the Trustees shall determine, in particular but not exclusively by:
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Arranging for free books to be provided to children.
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Assisting and supporting parents to read and enjoy books with their children; and
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The provision of teaching and support in English for those who do not speak English as a first language.
Key Themes
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Enhance our standing within the Bradford community as a sustainable venture.
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Recruit support from business and individuals to ensure future growth.
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Deliver exceptional and stimulating books to registered children with support from the nursery/ children’s centre.
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Ambitiously grow our scheme to other deserving areas within Bradford.
Latest book figures
In September 2025, about 440 children in the Canterbury and Manningham areas of Bradford will receive free books through the post.
We also have more than 1,500 'graduates' - children who have had their 5th birthday and graduated from us.
Since we started out in 2012, a total of more than 80,000 books have been sent into homes of under-5s with our donors' help.
