"It is an incredibly rewarding experience. I think this is an amazing project with real determination and goodwill. I am particularly honoured to have been involved in RIF, and encouraged at how much difference and change in children’s attitudes to reading it has already caused. Well done!" - Borders employee volunteer, Birmingham
We are keen to involve the employees of our corporate supporters as much as possible, as we recognise the wide range of benefits that employee involvement can bring. These include building links with the local community, raising the company’s profile, and developing staff skills, experience and motivation. We also understand that staff may have limited time to volunteer, and we therefore work to be as flexible as possible.
Some examples of how employees could get involved include:
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Interacting with children at our events, helping them read and choose the books they would like to keep
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Helping with arts and crafts or storytelling activities
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Helping with the organisation of events and projects including practical arrangements
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Presenting children with their books, book bags, bookmarks and stickers – visitors are particularly welcome for this role as they help to create a sense of occasion. (This is also a great opportunity for publicity).
- Organising events, for example book sales and staff quizzes
- Entering a team in our annual running event
- Taking part in other sponsored events such as parachute jumps and overseas challenges offered by the NLT
- Publishing a book of short stories to be marketed and sold to employees
- Payroll giving (GAYE)
- Dress-down days in the office, or dressing up as a book character etc.
- Fundraising drive around World Book Day
- Helping us to produce a DVD
- Marketing and promotion support
- Support with design of materials
- Nominating or becoming Reading Champions to promote reading throughout the company and in the local community
- Competitions – short story competitions, or photo competitions for reading a book in the most unusual place or the most appropriate place for its title. Winners could be published on the NLT and company websites.
- Setting up a book group at work – recommending reads, sharing and discussing books, writing book reviews, either in person or on the intranet
- Linking up with local libraries near to company offices
- Helping promote our campaigns on your website or in publications
We would be delighted to present employees with a certificate on completion of their volunteering with us, and would be happy to investigate the possibility of one of our celebrity supporters hosting a staff event.
All of these ideas could help to improve the literacy skills and confidence of your staff, and create a learning environment in the workplace, as well as enhancing staff
If you would like to know more about corporate involvement please contact jenner.fabian@literacytrust.org.uk
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