A Swindon-based charity has helped open the door to reading for millions of people across the globe, despite a year of upheaval that included relocating to a new warehouse.
Book Aid International has confirmed it provided more than 850,000 brand-new books to 160 partner organisations in 22 countries during 2025, ensuring access to reading for communities facing some of the world’s toughest challenges.
The achievement comes during the charity’s move to its new base in Swindon — a period that might have slowed progress, but instead saw books reach readers of all ages. Deliveries ranged from picture books for young children to specialist law and medical texts for students and professionals.
Alongside book distribution, the charity expanded its work creating welcoming reading spaces. In Kenya, Book Aid International partnered with Finn Church Aid to establish school libraries for the first time in the Dadaab refugee camp. In Rwanda, its long-standing partnership with the Ineza Foundation helped train 200 early years educators, introducing young children to reading at the very start of their education.
Books were also sent to communities affected by conflict. More than 13,000 titles supported PEN Ukraine’s Unbreakable Libraries campaign, while ongoing work continued in Cameroon’s Southwest and Northwest regions, where more than a million people have been displaced by civil unrest.
In collaboration with Education Information Services International, the charity opened its first Cameroonian Children’s Corner since the conflict began, in the town of Kumba. The space stands as a clear sign of how strongly communities value access to books, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Book Aid International also welcomed five new partners during the year, including Skyline NGO in Madagascar. A delivery of 9,000 books there is expected to benefit around 300,000 readers.
Chief Executive Alison Tweed said the year had been one of global pressure, but praised partners and supporters for helping the charity continue its work.
She said:
“The combination of aid cuts, conflict and climate-related disasters has made this an incredibly tough time for many communities. Our partners are working in some of the most challenging environments imaginable, and we’re grateful to the publishers who donate the books we send, as well as to the Swindon community for the warm welcome we’ve received.”
The charity’s President, Nigel Newton CBE, founder and Chief Executive of Bloomsbury Publishing, also welcomed the move to Swindon and the year’s progress.
He said:
“It’s wonderful to see Book Aid International settled into its new home. As we look ahead to the National Year of Reading 2026, there is huge potential for book lovers to come together and help even more communities discover the joy of reading.”
With demand for books continuing to rise, the charity is now looking for volunteers at its Swindon warehouse and new corporate partners to support its work in the years ahead.
