Nottingham, UK – 25th February 2026 — Experian has donated 1,250 books to schools in Nottingham as part of a wider programme to help improve literacy levels, promote reading enjoyment and strengthen long‑term financial confidence among young people. The initiative forms part of Experian’s ongoing partnership with the National Literacy Trust and aligns with the company’s purpose of helping people better their story.
Low literacy continues to be a significant barrier to financial wellbeing and life opportunities. Research from the National Literacy Trust shows that 1 in 6 children in disadvantaged communities do not own a single book and reading for pleasure rates are at a two-decade low, despite the fact that frequent reading and reading for enjoyment supports a child’s academic success, wellbeing, creativity, and confidence. Evidence also shows that strong readers are four times more likely to have strong financial capability than peers with poor reading skills, and adults with functional literacy earn 16% more on average. Literacy disadvantage is closely linked to long‑term socioeconomic inequality.
The books will be distributed to ten schools across Nottingham, including Robin Hood Primary School, Crabtree Farm Primary School, and Victoria Primary School. The donations are designed to support pupils at key stages of their education, helping to improve access to books and encourage a lifelong relationship with reading.
Using data and analytics to target support
Experian is using its data and analytics to help identify the areas of the UK with the highest literacy need, ensuring support is deployed effectively. This includes contributing to the Literacy Vulnerability Score, which provides insight into literacy need across every electoral ward and parliamentary constituency in England.
Experian’s recent move to a 0–1250 credit score range, designed to give consumers greater clarity and control over their financial futures, further supports its commitment to improving financial confidence across the UK. The book donation initiative forms part of this broader effort to ensure people have the skills and tools needed to make informed decisions throughout their lives.
Improving literacy and financial skills among young people
Experian also supports Words That Count, a programme delivered with the National Literacy Trust for 14–19‑year‑olds, which blends literacy development with practical financial education. The initiative is delivered in community settings including football clubs and boxing gyms and works with delivery partners including Switch Up and co-founder Foundation 92.
Through its partnership with Experian, the National Literacy Trust directly supported 1,000 young people and reached 1.54 million through its digital campaign to promote financial education during the 2024/25 academic year.
Edu Castro, Managing Director at Experian Consumer Services UK&I, said: “Low literacy can limit opportunities and make everyday money management harder. At Experian, we believe everyone deserves the chance to build a better future. By working with the National Literacy Trust, we are using our data and resources to get books into classrooms, improve literacy, and give young people the confidence to better their financial story.”
Stacey Shillingford, Manager of the National Literacy Trust in Nottingham, says: “Access to books can be life‑changing for children and young people. This is particularly true in communities where access to reading and literacy resources are limited, with our research showing that 1 in 6 children from disadvantaged backgrounds say they don’t have a book of their own at home.
"This generous donation will support our ongoing mission to help children and young people in Nottingham explore stories and their own reading identities, empowering with all the benefits that reading for pleasure brings: confidence, creativity, academic success, and wellbeing. We’re delighted to continue developing our partnership with Experian to ensure more young people see themselves as readers and reap the long-term benefits that will help them thrive.”
ENDS
Media contact:
Eliza Odire-Boadi, Consumer PR Manager, Experian UK&I
Tel: 07816192572 / Email: eliza.odire-boadi@experian.com
About Experian
Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. We help to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using our unique combination of data, analytics and software. We also assist millions of people to realise their financial goals and help them to save time and money.
We operate across a range of markets, from financial services to healthcare, automotive, agrifinance, insurance, and many more industry segments.
We invest in talented people and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data and to innovate. A FTSE 100 Index company listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN), we have a team of 25,200 people across 33 countries. Our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at experianplc.com.
About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that empowers children, young people and adults with the literacy skills they need to succeed. Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills give you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. For over 30 years the National Literacy Trust has continued to support schools, families and communities on a local and national level to help people change their stories. literacytrust.org.uk