England
Letterbox Club in England began as a developmental pilot initiated by Rose Griffiths at the University of Leicester.
The trial took place in Leicester and Suffolk from 2003-06.
Since 2007, Letterbox Club has been managed by Booktrust and has rapidly grown to become one if its established bookgifting programmes alongside Bookstart, Booktime and Booked Up.
- In 2007, 22 local authorities were signed up for the pilot, with 569 children enrolled. Evaluation of the programme showed a demonstrable impact on the children's reading and number attainment
- In 2008, 56 local authorities took part, with 1,000 children enrolled and by 2009, the programme became available via subscription across the whole of the UK
- By 2010, Letterbox had expanded to include 110 local authorities in England and over 3,200 children. The programme has also been extended to include parcels for secondary school Year 7/8 children - Letterbox Green and also children in Key Stage Two with additional educational needs - Letterbox Extra (changed to Letterbox Yellow for 2011)
- In 2011, Letterbox signed up 3,270 children in England and offered Letterbox Green as a fully purchasable parcel for Year 7/8 children.
- In 2012, the number increased to 3,950 children signed up in England.
