Whilst the long-term effects of the pandemic on children's literacy and mental health are not yet fully understood, a Somerset-based company is taking action to help.

Last month Barbecue Lodges, based in Taunton, sponsored a pack of mental health books for Milverton Community Primary School in Milverton as part of World Book Day. The experience led the owners of Barbecue Lodges, Melanie and Simon Smith, to think about how they could support their local communities and the young people growing up within them.

They came up with the idea of a monthly book giveaway for schools, enabling educational establishments to benefit from new literacy resources without using their budgets. The competition launched this week, and a winning school will be selected at random every month until the end of the academic year. The books are being supplied via Elise Patrick, an Usborne Book representative, through her company 'Love Books'.

Melanie Smith, Owner of Barbecue Lodges, explains why the competition is important to them: "We are delighted that our work with schools installing Lodges as flexible, multi-use rooms continues to grow steadily, and we wanted to give something back to this amazingly worthwhile sector of our business. As a quiet and cosy space the Lodges work perfectly for children who need somewhere to go other than a formal classroom, and our book competition gives schools the opportunity to receive new resources, to help children of all ages develop a love of reading."

To enter the competition, simply select a school (primary or secondary) within Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall or South Wales and visit the competition page to make your nomination.

Barbecue Lodges are based in Taunton and supply and install lodges throughout Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall and South Wales. The business has been running since 2007, and is now under the ownership of Melanie and Simon Smith. For more information visit www.bbqlodges.co.uk

Elise Patrick can be contacted at [email protected]