On Thursday 20 January, we held an event to celebrate the work of the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge. At this event, we also held our first Business Awards, in association with KPMG. These awards will be an annual event to celebrate the work businesses are doing to raise literacy levels across the UK.
The Award for Innovation was presented to Lancôme. Lancôme have been working with us to give young women and girls opportunities and insights into the world of work. They funded the Words for Work: Women in Leadership program which has run since 2018. Through this partnership, 5,000 women will have been supported. Lancôme also funded the Behind the Cover club, giving 1,500 young women access to free audiobooks and resources during the pandemic.
The Award for Impact was given to WHSmith. They have supported many areas of our work including the Young Readers Programme, supporting unrestricted funding, and leveraging their connections and campaigns to support us. Most notable has been the campaign to end book poverty with Marcus Rashford and Pan Macmillan, for every Marcus Rashford book sold, another was gifted to a school by us. Schools were also given access to his digital events. This campaign was very impactful and gained attention and activity.
British Land was given the Award for Leadership as they have been a long term strategic partner of ours for over ten years. By supporting us for so long, they have shown leadership in the literacy space and inspired others to get involved. British Land has helped 55,722 children across the UK improve their literacy skills while working with local schools and community groups. Our partnership helped provide educational material to over 4,000 families in need of support during the pandemic.
Cleary Gottlieb actively supports us and have been given the Award for Collaboration. They are extremely flexible and have shown great collaboration by being founding members of the Leaders for Law group. This group helps connect senior contacts at other top law firms. Cleary Gottlieb also actively fundraise for us.
Lancôme, WHSmith, British Land, and Cleary Gottlieb have all contributed to raising literacy levels across the UK. They have shown us great support and we look forward to continuing our work with them.
If you want to find out more about the awards, or the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge, then please email businesspledge@literacytrust.org.uk