Amazon employees inspire young readers during Peterborough school visit
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The team at Amazon’s Peterborough fulfilment centre visited Paston Ridings School to help inspire a love of reading among pupils and promote the importance of recycling. The visit was part of the National Literacy Trust’s Young Readers programme, an initiative that encourages children to develop their love of reading and gives them the opportunity to choose free books to take home.
During the visit, 7 Amazon employees read with pupils, sharing stories and encouraging a love of books. The visit and partnership with the National Literacy Trust forms part of Amazon’s ongoing commitment to supporting literacy and education in the communities where it operates, giving children the opportunity to enjoy books while learning about different careers and backgrounds at Amazon.
As well as promoting reading, the Amazon team shared their knowledge of sustainability with the pupils by taking part in an activity where they made boats from recyclable materials.
Liga Reihmane, an employee from Amazon in Peterborough who took part in the visit, said: “Reading is such an important life-skill and it’s great to be able to share that with young people in our community. The children really enjoyed making boats from recyclable materials and I was very impressed by their creativity!”
Jabeen Moghal, from Paston Ridings School, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Amazon team into our school. Initiatives like this help make reading exciting for children and show them how books can open up a world of imagination and opportunity.”
Dinny Smith, Assistant Director of Education at National Literacy Trust, said: “Choosing a book that speaks to you can be a powerful moment for a child to see themselves as a reader. With Amazon’s support, the Young Readers Programme is empowering children in Peterborough to find stories and subjects that reflect their interests and build their confidence as readers.
“As we mark the National Year of Reading 2026, partnerships like this are vital to show all children that reading is for them and connecting them with books that help them discover the joy of reading.”
The visit to the school forms part of Amazon’s long-standing commitment to the Young Readers programme, both locally and nationally. Since 2024, Amazon have supported the delivery of the programme to 200 children in Peterborough, with more than 600 books gifted to primary school pupils. By the end of 2026 Amazon will have supported the Young Readers programme in 40 schools UK-wide, with over 3,300 Amazon employees volunteering their time. This support will put more than 11,100 books into the hands of 3,700 primary school pupils across the country.
Amazon is also supporting the National Year of Reading, combining funding with real, on-the-ground impact. From AWS technology and nationwide logistics that distribute books to underserved communities, to Amazon Literacy Champions volunteering in local schools, we’re using our scale and expertise to help drive meaningful improvements in literacy across the UK.
Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded the Multibank initiative with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families in need. The initiative has donated more than 12 million surplus goods to over 800,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, Tees Valley and Birmingham. This year, the Multibank will send 1 million orders to families across the UK.
Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.
Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.