At Bag Books, we believe everyone should experience the joy of storytelling, regardless of their abilities. Founded in 1993 by Chris Fuller, a teacher working with children with profound learning disabilities, Bag Books was created to make storytelling inclusive for people who cannot benefit from mainstream books. Chris found that by incorporating sensory elements like touch, sound, and smell, children with complex needs could connect with stories in new and meaningful ways.

Our multi-sensory books are designed for children and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities, severe learning disabilities, and severe autistic spectrum disorders. With a focus on those who have a developmental age of 18 months to 6 years, our books also benefit people with visual and hearing impairments. Unlike traditional books, they can be enjoyed through interaction, voice, and emotion, rather than relying solely on words and pictures.

 

“Whether through our award-winning multi-sensory books or our interactive storytelling sessions, we ensure that storytelling is a rich and meaningful experience for all.”

 

Each multi-sensory book opens up a world of imagination and learning, creating experiences that support emotional, cognitive, and social development. By blending touch, sound, scent, and visual elements, our stories provide an immersive, engaging way for people with complex learning disabilities to experience the magic of storytelling.

From our beginnings in handcrafted tactile stories, we’ve grown into a charity that reaches over 25,000 children and adults across the UK each year. Whether through our award-winning multi-sensory books or our interactive storytelling sessions, we ensure that storytelling is a rich and meaningful experience for all.

Chris Fuller's vision continues to guide our mission of providing inclusive storytelling for those with complex needs. Today, we proudly support schools, libraries, day centres, hospices, and families with an expanding range of sensory books, community-based storytelling sessions, and digital content. By making stories accessible to everyone, we foster joy, creativity, and connection in even the most challenging circumstances. Through our continued innovation and dedication, we aim to inspire lifelong engagement with stories, ensuring that everyone can experience the transformative power of storytelling.

Our Storytelling Projects

At Bag Books, we’re proud to run two core projects that take the magic of multi-sensory storytelling out into the community, reaching children and adults with complex learning disabilities. These sit alongside our wider work, which includes a range of additional activities delivered as funding allows. To stay updated on our latest projects and opportunities, sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media.

  • Our Sensory Stories project sits at the heart of Bag Books' work. Designed for children with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities (SLD/PMLD) in special schools, this project bridges the gap between conventional stories and their listeners. Through a day of immersive storytelling led by a trained Bag Books storyteller, pupils enjoy interactive, one-to-one experiences that stimulate the senses and bring stories vividly to life. Each participating school also receives two beautifully handcrafted Bag Books and a range of storytelling resources to ensure the magic continues long after our visit.

    If you’re a special school interested in taking part, please get in touch with Nina, our Storytelling Manager, at nina@bagbooks.org.

  • Lend a Story extends the reach of our sensory storytelling to adults with learning disabilities. This project partners with libraries, SEND colleges, and adult day centres across England, providing free access to bespoke sensory books, immersive storytelling sessions, and specialist training. Lend a Story empowers community spaces to become inclusive hubs where adults with complex needs can experience connection, self-expression, and joy through storytelling.

    If you’re a library, SEND college, or adult day centre and would like to get involved, please contact Nina at nina@bagbooks.org – we would love to hear from you!

Our Impact

Bag Books brings joy, connection, and opportunity to children and adults with severe and profound learning disabilities (SLD/PMLD), including those with severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many of the individuals we support face additional challenges—over 90% have mobility issues, 70% live with epilepsy, and others experience difficulties with hearing, sight, or breathing, with some requiring tube feeding.

People with SLD and PMLD often face significant barriers to inclusion, life opportunities, and essential services. While most people naturally develop learning and self-expression through everyday interactions, individuals with severe learning disabilities need specialised support to engage meaningfully with the world.

Stories are central to human connection, but traditional storytelling often relies on language, leaving non-verbal people excluded. Bag Books bridges this gap through multi-sensory storytelling, using touch, sound, sight, and smell to create inclusive experiences that spark joy, develop skills, and foster meaningful connections.

TOM’S STORY

Tom is an eight-year-old boy with profound learning disabilities. Although his body is growing, his brain works at the level of a one-year-old. He can’t speak or walk and often feels scared of the world around him—unexpected noises, being left alone, and even touching new things frighten him. Other children are particularly overwhelming, making him feel isolated.

Tom’s teacher discovered Bag Books and ordered What Am I?—a multi-sensory story designed to bring storytelling to life. The book tells the story of a young girl visiting the zoo, with tactile and interactive elements representing animals like a rhino, pig, fish, and elephant. The elephant’s trunk—a grey hose with pink fabric—doubles as a puppet, and the storyteller uses it to interact with listeners, complete with a hidden elephant sound.

At first, Tom’s teacher guided his hands over each page. Slowly, Tom began to relax. The sounds in her voice helped him understand whether the story was happy, funny, or silly. Tom’s favourite page was the elephant—it made him giggle every time. His teacher repeated the page whenever he laughed, helping Tom realise that his giggle could prompt action—giving him a sense of control.

Over time, Tom became less frightened and more alert. His teacher introduced the story to the whole class, showing Tom that the other children weren’t always noisy or scary—they could be quiet, and they giggled at the elephant too.

Thanks to What Am I? Tom has learned to enjoy stories, communicate, and explore friendships. He now delights in a variety of multi-sensory stories, with his learning journey well underway.

Transformative Outcomes

    • Experience heightened interest and engagement.

    • Develop better attention, recognition, and anticipation.

    • Become more aware of peers and build social connections.

    • Improve communication, motor skills, and decision-making.

    • Learn skills like sharing, turn-taking, and following simple instructions.

  • Teachers across the UK are seeing the difference Bag Books stories make — here’s what they told us in a survey of over 100 special needs teachers:

    • 99% saw children reacting to sensory stimuli.

    • 98% observed increased participation in shared activities.

    • 97% noted greater interest in people, objects, or events.

    • 96% reported improved focus and engagement.

    • 93% observed enhanced awareness of activities and surroundings.

    • 92% saw improvements in turn-taking skills.

Through our multi-sensory books, Bag Books helps people with severe and profound learning disabilities (SLD/PMLD) – like Tom –  to build communication skills, spark anticipation, develop confidence, and experience meaningful social connection.

An independent survey of over 100 special needs teachers who use Bag Books revealed powerful results:

  • 86% use our books at least once a week, and over a third use them daily.

  • 89% of UK special schools have at least one Bag Book in their library or classroom.

These figures show not just wide adoption, but deep trust in the impact of our work.
Bag Books gives individuals who are often excluded from traditional storytelling the chance to laugh, connect, communicate — and most importantly, to be heard.

Enriching Lives Through Multi-Sensory Storytelling

With over 30 years of experience, Bag Books works with schools, families, libraries, hospices, and day centres across the UK to support people with complex needs. Our multi-sensory storytelling ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can engage, connect, and thrive. Your support allows us to continue creating inclusive opportunities and meaningful experiences for those who need them most.

Our People

OUR STAFF

Lucy Barrett | CEO

Marion Mason | Finance Officer

Nina Martinez | Storytelling Manager

Pauline Mason | Storytelling Co-ordinator

Sophie Baker | Workshop Manager

Magda Tsirkas | Senior Craft Artist

Patricia Antunes | Craft Artist

Caroline Sicobo | Craft Artist

  • Jonathan Walsh (Chair)

    Rachel Tyson (Treasurer)

    Catherine Pearson

    Karl Massey

    Natasha Theobald

  • Kay Hounsham MBE MSc  

    Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE FRSL FKC DL  

    Dr Alison Salt MBBS FRCPCH FRACP MSc

Work for Us

At Bag Books, we believe in the power of stories to open up new worlds of connection, learning, and joy for people with complex learning disabilities. Our team is passionate about making storytelling accessible to everyone, and we take pride in the creativity, care, and commitment that goes into everything we do.

Bag Books is a rewarding and inspiring place to work -  whether you're crafting stories by hand, delivering interactive storytelling sessions, or supporting our mission behind the scenes. Every role plays a part in helping children and adults across the UK experience the magic of multi-sensory storytelling.

If you share our values and want to help make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

  • We are seeking enthusiastic and compassionate storytellers to deliver our multi-sensory storytelling sessions. These sessions are designed for individuals with profound learning disabilities and severe autistic spectrum disorders. As a storyteller, you’ll bring our unique books to life, creating memorable and immersive experiences for those who need it most. If you have strong communication skills, a passion for working with diverse communities, and a talent for engaging audiences through voice and emotion, this role could be a perfect fit for you.

    Key Requirements:

    • Experience in storytelling, teaching, or performing

    • Ability to connect with individuals with complex learning disabilities

    • Enthusiastic, empathetic, and engaging personality

    • Flexibility to travel to various locations


    For more information, and our storyteller information pack, please contact office@bagbooks.org.

  • We are also seeking new trustees to join our board and help shape the future of Bag Books. Trustees play a vital role in ensuring we achieve our strategic goals and continue to grow as a charity. If you have experience in governance, charity management, or expertise in areas like fundraising, communications, or legal affairs, we would love to hear from you.

    Key Requirements:

    • Experience in charity or nonprofit governance

    • Expertise in areas such as finance, fundraising, legal, or communications

    • Commitment to our mission and values

    • Availability to attend quarterly trustee meetings, in-person and online

    For more information, and our trustee information pack, please contact office@bagbooks.org.