⭐️ Another wonderful poem from the talented young writers at Crich Junior School. Thank you to the teachers at Crich for creating space for children to explore, express and share empathy through reading, writing and meaningful classroom conversations as part of the EmpathyLab Schools Programme.

💭 Small changes in the classroom can make a big difference to how children understand themselves and others. We're so grateful to hear how teachers are using EmpathyLab's approach to embed empathy into everyday learning.

🐧 Mid heat wave, we have a cool treat from 10 year old Poppy at Crich Junior School. Thank you to teachers at Crich for sharing their empathy work with us, and for embedding empathy education through reading through participation in the EmpathyLab Schools Programme.

At the close of the school year we want to cheer all the AMAZING teachers using reading to support every child to be seen, valued and understood. Over the rest of the summer break take a look at what teachers across the country said this year about EmpathyLab’s approach and impact.

Buy any of these books at the link in our bio via uk.bookshop.org/shop/empathy... and EmpathyLab will receive 10% so that we can continue to champion reading which helps EVERYONE be seen, valued and understood.

📚️ July is Disability Pride Month. We've gathered 20 brilliant books celebrating disabled lives and experiences in all their diversity. These authentic stories help young readers see themselves, understand others, and grow empathy.

💭 “It really has transformed my practice.” Amy Slater, Alternative Education Leader at Kirk Hallam Academy. Through reading for empathy, K has grown in confidence, motivation and belonging, independently using strategies learnt through literature in the wider school environment.

Reading connects us, and is scientifically proven to build our real life empathy skills. But just like a garden it needs tending in order to bloom. Reading together, sharing perspectives, wondering how characters feel are simple ways to enjoy books whilst building empathy skills.

Explore the AMAZING free writing resources and recipes to help aspiring authors explore different perspectives, build believable characters and craft empathy-led stories. If you're already planning your short story or poem, these resources are a fantastic place to start.

In the National Year of Reading #GOALLIN for connection and share your voice! We're delighted to be partnering with @calibreaudio for this year's Inclusive Voices short story competition, which focuses on the power of empathy through storytelling.

🎉 Huge congrats to EmpathyLab Ambassador Patrice Lawrence who has been named the new Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate 2026-2028! We could not be more delighted to see Patrice take on this important role, and to hear plans for her tenure.

⭐️ Empathy Bookshelf ⭐️ A favourite chosen by Kristina Rahim, 'Fight Back' by A.M. Dassu. ⚡️ You can catch up with our Spark Empathy with Kristina Rahim and Ian Eagleton, over on our website and explore and celebrate families of all kinds - available until end of July empathylab.uk/empathy-day-...

Perfect for sparking rich classroom conversations, inspiring creative writing, developing reading comprehension and exploring empathy through discussion. 📖 Which story will you read first? empathylab.uk/empathy-shor...

✨ NEW Empathy Shorts are here! Every child deserves access to stories that help them understand themselves and others. Our new collection of FREE Empathy Shorts offers powerful, thought-provoking stories that encourage children to see life from another person's perspective.

⭐️ Empathy Bookshelf ⭐️ A favourite chosen by Chanté Timothy, 'Bumble & Snug and the Angry Pirates' by Mark Bradley. ⚡️ You can catch up with our Spark Empathy with Chanté Timothy, over on our website and explore how to create your own “Supa” graphic novel characters: empathylab.uk/empathy-day-...

🔔 Reminder: Empathy Day Festival resources are available until the end of July! 🔔 Whether you catch with our AMAZING Spark Empathy's, decorate your setting with empathy resolutions or draw along with Rob Biddulph. There's still time to boost empathy around your community!

⭐️ Empathy Bookshelf ⭐️ A favourite chosen by Ian Eagleton, 'Escape from the Child Snatchers' by Sufiya Ahmed.

Taking part in School Diversity Week in your setting this week spreads empathy & understanding to help prevent prejudice, discrimination and bullying, but also celebrates the enormous difference that LGBT+ inclusion can make for all young people, whoever they are or grow up to be

In the National Year of Reading #GOALLIN for connection and share your voice! We're delighted to be partnering with Calibre Audio for this year's Inclusive Voices short story competition, which focuses on the power of empathy through storytelling.

💭 Catch up on demand, this Refugee week, and Spark Empathy with Michael Rosen. Explore the courage of refugees in a true World War II story, and build your understanding of why people seek refuge today. ⭐️ Visit the Festival webpage to watch: empathylab.uk/empathy-day-...

⭐️ Empathy Bookshelf ⭐️ A favourite chosen by Rachel Bright, 'The Carrot Seed' by Ruth Krauss, pictures by Crockett Johnson ⚡️ You can catch up with our Spark Empathy with Rachel Bright, over on our website 📚 Looking for your next empathy-boosting read? Check out the Read for Empathy Collection

⭐ The Courage Collection It's Refugee Week, and we're proud to be supporting the celebrations with The Courage Collection – a free reading and resource list in collaboration with @adayofwelcome @refugeeweekuk and @writerscentre

Last week we closed the Empathy Day Festival with a fantastic LIVE event featuring authors Matt Goodfellow & Manjeet Mann. ⭐️ During the session, students took part in a short free writing exercise. Helping young people explore thoughts, feelings & experiences while building empathy for others.

A MASSIVE thank you to EVERYONE who joined the Empathy Day Festival. Hundreds of thousands - in every part of the UK and in 25 countries across the world! We have been blown away by the response, thank you to everyone that jumped into stories, shared & created to build their empathy muscles.

⭐️ The Festival may be ending, but the conversations, connections & acts of empathy it inspires can continue long after today. As S.F. Said reminds us, books are among the greatest empathy engines ever invented, helping us step into someone else's shoes, broaden perspectives & understand each other

🗺️ This week we travelled around the world and created our very own guidebooks with, Rashmi Sirdeshpande & Viviane Schwarz with Ben Shires and British Library Learning. A brilliant way to explore how others live and see the world from a new perspective

We LOVED seeing Bank End Primary in Barnsley getting their whole school community involved! ✏️ If you'd like to take on the Empathy Challenge head to our website to download the resources and get creating! empathylab.uk/empathy-day-...

💭 Author and broadcaster Cariad Lloyd suggests how we can make everyone feel welcome. What's your Empathy Resolution? ✏️ Download our FREE resolution bunting, paper chains and more: empathylab.uk/empathy-day-...

✏️ Our resources are all unlocked: empathylab.uk/empathy-day-... 📍 Add your pin for a chance to win... an empathy-boosting book bundle 📸 Share what you make and create to win a special book prize

⭐️ LIVE TODAY! Take part in our LIVE secondary event with Matt Goodfellow & Manjeet Mann on Thursday 11 June, 1.30–2.00pm. Or enjoy a fun and interactive session with the Friday Book Club, featuring Ed Vere, Mevan Babakar and Lisa Thompson, hosted by Jenny McLachlan on Thursday 11 June, 2.00–2.45pm.