Every day we tell children how important reading is. What if we stopped and asked: when did reading last make you feel good? The National Literacy Trust’s #Take10toRead campaign answers that question with a simple, powerful challenge: on World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2025, take just 10 minutes to read. It’s a chance to pause, restore, and connect for pupils, parents, school staff, and the wider community. 

Why Take 10 matters

Reading for pleasure supports more than literacy skills. It’s good for mental wellbeing, helping reduce stress, lift mood, provide escape, and foster calm. 

Young people are more likely to enjoy reading when they see the adults in their lives reading. Role-modelling matters. 

Reading for pleasure is a strong predictor of academic progress, especially between ages 10-16, even more so than parental education, so promoting pleasure in reading has real implications for social mobility. 

How organisations & schools can get involved

Take 10 isn’t just for individual readers. Schools, libraries, community groups, voluntary organisations, employers - all have a part to play. Here are ways they can help:

Make a pledge: Organisations can commit to building a reading culture. That might mean setting aside 10 minutes for reading across the workforce, arranging a shared reading moment, or encouraging staff to share book recommendations. 

Share resources: The National Literacy Trust offers graphics, sample copy, and ideas to help organisations spread the word via social media, staff newsletters or community channels. 

Focus on schools: Schools have dedicated resources and opportunities to embed Take 10 in classrooms and beyond - not just on 10 October but as part of everyday life. 

Engage families and communities: Parents, carers, grandparents can be encouraged to Take 10 with children at home. Libraries, community groups or workplaces can host book swaps, reading groups, or virtual reading moments. 

What you gain

Participating in Take 10 offers benefits across the board:

For children: more joy in reading, stronger literacy, better wellbeing, a perception that reading is fun & valued.

For adults: a wellbeing boost (yes, reading reduces stress), a chance to be role models, and a way to build connection with young readers in your life.

For schools & organisations: stronger reading cultures, community engagement, and positive ripple effects for learning, morale, and belonging.

Ideas to bring Take 10 alive in school/at home

Here are some suggestions to make this year’s Take 10 really count:

Whole-school reading moment: schedule 10-minute reading across all classes (or year groups) at the same time.

Reading buddy pairs - older and younger pupils sharing favourite books.

Staff reads - staff share their favourite book or poem in newsletters or on noticeboards.

Book swap/library pop-up in school or community spaces.

Reading challenge for families - children read with family members; perhaps a small reward for completing days of Take 10 together.

Virtual Take 10 events and resources for schools

See the National Literacy Trust website here for details of this year's virtual events and resources for schools.

Join the journey

Mark your calendars for 10 October. If you’re part of a school, organisation or community group, consider pledging your support with the National Literacy Trust here. Let’s all take 10 minutes to read - for calm, for joy, for the benefit of children, and for ourselves.

Because each minute spent lost in a book is a minute well spent.

For full details of the National Literacy Trust's Take 10 campaign, see their website here.

#Take10ToRead | @Literacy_Trust