WSHA was the first registered social landlord in Scotland to sign up for the Imagination Library scheme which gives children under the age of five years up to 60 free books.

One family to have benefitted from the book-gifting scheme is Michelle Fallon who said: “I signed up my three young children when I first moved into my home four years ago. They all love getting a book personally delivered to them each month and are excited to see what one it will be. There are always really good books and we read them as a family as part of the bedtime routine.”

Maisie O’Brien, community and support services manager at WSHA, added: “On World Book Day 2019, we are delighted to mark a tremendous milestone of providing 2,500 free books to our young tenants. We recognise the importance of supporting children’s reading from an early age and we know that this assists them to develop their literacy skills. It is really great to see families, such as Michelle and her children, benefiting from this scheme.” 

The scheme has been funded since 2015 by WSHA’s charitable subsidiary, Willowacre Trust and this is part of a wider Supporting Communities Strategy. 

Marion Gillooly, executive director at The Dollywood Foundation UK, said: “Dolly Parton set up her Imagination Library to get books into the hands of children and inspire a lifelong love of reading. We are delighted to join WSHA in celebrating this milestone, which demonstrates their commitment to supporting tenants, helping to develop flourishing communities.”