Book Donation Packs

A LEIGH mother and bookseller has spearheaded a local campaign to get children’s mental health books into multiple schools in the area.
Becca Kent, a mother of two, worked as a primary school teacher specialising in Early Years for 17 years.
Her campaign has seen local businesses sponsor packs of children’s mental health books for local schools and nurseries.
“As a teacher, I coordinated reading for my school,” she explained. “This saw me put my love of encouraging children to read into my business, Little Leighs Bookshop.”
Through her experiences, Ms Kent has seen the huge difference books can make to youngsters. “Sitting down with children and reading books helps acknowledge children’s feelings — it’s a real conversation starter,” she explains.
So far, Leigh firms BTMK, Tolhurst Fisher and Rickard Luckin have each sponsored four packs, totalling £400 worth of books. These have been delivered to the following schools across Leigh, Westcliff and Southend: St Michael’s Thorpe Hall, Milton Hall School, Prince Avenue Primary School, Belfairs Academy, The Chase, The St. Christopher School, Richmond Avenue Primary School and Lancaster School.
Ms Kent’s campaign was launched to coincide with Children’s Mental Health Week 2026, which ran from 9 to 15 February. This year, it focused on the theme “This Is My Place” to foster a sense of belonging in children.
Ms Kent added: “I wanted to recognise the importance of books during Children’s Mental Health Week.
“There is a real decline in children’s mental health, so I’m hoping these books work towards providing helpful ways of opening the discussion.”
Topics covered by the books donated so far include helping youngsters with feelings, anger and making friends, as well as offering guidance on using social media safely for older children.
Ms Kent is still looking for sponsors, so if you are a local business that would like to donate books to a local school, contact her via her Instagram: @little_leighs_bookshop.
Picture: Ms Kent (second right) delivering books to Milton Hall in Westcliff. Pic Little Leighs
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