Leading businesses across the city came together last week and pledged their support for the Manchester Reading Ahead initiative.
Representatives from 19 local organisations attended the Read Manchester business lunch at Manchester Central Library on Wednesday 17 May, which was hosted by the new Manchester City Council chief executive, Joanne Roney OBE.
Welcoming guests to the event, Joanne shared the important impact that reading has had on her life and highlighted how “reading can be the pathway out of poverty and deprivation.”
Attendees heard how local organisations are already supporting the Read Manchester campaign in a range of different ways:
- Nicola Hamilton and Faye Greaves from the Wythenshawe Community Housing Group shared their work with schools during ‘World Book Week’ and how they have promoted reading to sheltered accommodation residents during ‘coffee and cake’ events. The housing group has signed up 50 residents to take part in Manchester Reading Ahead to date.
- Christine Moore from Manchester Credit Union spoke about how the organisation has inspired staff to read at lunchtime, and introduced a book corner with a range of children’s and adult’s books for customers to enjoy. Colleagues have also been encouraged to take part in the Reading Ahead challenge.
Karen Jarmany, project lead for Read Manchester, highlighted some of the campaign’s successes date and shared more about Manchester Reading Ahead. Developed by the Reading Agency, the initiative challenges residents to pick six things to read - and then record, rate and review them in a special diary to get a certificate.
Attendees had the chance to discuss ways they could support the campaign and sign a Manchester Reading Ahead pledge. In total they took away over 485 Reading Ahead diaries and committed to promoting the initiative to their colleagues and partners.
Find out more about Manchester Reading Ahead which is part of the Read Manchester campaign from Manchester City Council and the National Literacy Trust.
The following organisations were represented at the event:
Access SUMMIT
Antz Network
Bam Construction
Biffa
Credit Union
Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
JMW Solicitors
Kids Around The Clock
Kitson Architecture
Love Calligraphy
Manchester Deaf Centre
Manchester's Carers Forum
One Manchester
Rotary
The Prince's Trust
The Wythenshawe Forum
Wai Yin Society
Walking with the Wounded
Wythenshawe Community Housing Group