Impact stories

We believe books have the power to change lives in ways big and small. Read about the impact of some of our Social Impact initiatives and how we are working with communities across the UK to celebrate the magic of reading and ensure everyone has access to books.

Four students from a secondary school in Salford pose for a photo

Margaret Atwood joins teenagers to talk activism

We launched Penguin Talks to take some of the world’s leading thinkers and writers into schools to talk to young people about the issues they care about. Prompting discussion and encouraging debate, each talk gives students the space and confidence to ask questions, challenge perceptions and voice their opinion on some of the most pressing challenges facing today’s society.

Primary school children reading books in their library

Libraries for Primaries: Transforming a school library into a hub of imagination

Libraries are suffering from a chronic lack of investment – 1 in 7 primary schools in England do not have a library, and this rises to 1 in 4 schools in our most disadvantaged communities.

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Rashmi Sirdeshpande: 'WriteNow made me an author'

WriteNow is Penguin's award-winning programme to seek out, nurture and publish new writers from communities under-represented on the nation's bookshelves.

An elderly man reading a book

Celebrating the power of reading

It’s now an annual tradition for Penguin Random House colleagues to spend World Book Day volunteering in schools, libraries, homeless shelters and community settings, sharing their passion for books and reading.