Member Article

Bradford employability organisation to launch corporate partnership initiative at Buy Yorkshire

A Yorkshire organisation that works with secondary schools to improve employability has announced that it will be launching a corporate partnership initiative at next month’s Buy Yorkshire event.

Reading Matters is hoping to engage directly with businesses to highlight the positive impact of its work on young people’s skills and confidence.

Rachel Kelly, chief executive of the Bradford-based charity, said improving reading ability in the early stages of secondary education could have a positive effect on job prospects.

“This can have a huge impact on the young person’s future prospects and teachers also report improvements in student engagement, confidence, performance and behaviour.

“Business leaders often comment about the lack of literacy skills among current school leavers, we are tackling this problem and, with corporate support, can achieve even more positive outcomes.”

Reading Matters specialises in 1:1 reading support to help young people reach their potential through placement of trained volunteer Reading Mentors and delivery of peer tutor training in schools. In addition they provide a range of workshops for education professionals, parents and carers on how to support reading development.

Based in Bradford, Reading Matters works extensively across the Yorkshire region and is increasingly active in other parts of the country.

The corporate partnership initiative aims to engage businesses in their social mission by informing them about the issues and encouraging them to provide financial and practical support.

Rachel said: “First and foremost we want to raise awareness within the business community and show them how they can get involved.”

“Employees can volunteer as Reading Mentors in local schools and firms can provide services in kind, fundraise or make regular contributions to support our work. They might choose to sponsor Reading Mentors or Reading Leaders courses in their local community.”

Reading Matters will launch its corporate partnership initiative at the Buy Yorkshire conference at the Royal Armouries, Leeds, on May 13 and 14.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .