What is Words for Work?
Words for Work offers an innovative way for schools and businesses to join forces and address the nation’s employability. Volunteers from the corporate world are partnered with secondary schools within their community to explore speaking and listening in the workplace through a range of workshops.
If you are a school
Words for Work provides a useful, easy-to-use lesson base. The pre-designed lesson plans are created to complement the curriculum and to give students an example of the importance of speaking and listening outside of the classroom. Schools involved last year stated that confidence of their pupils had increased significantly.
If you are a business
Words for Work enables individual employees to give something back to the community and for the company to reinforce CSR activities. It allows the corporate to promote its brand and to contribute to the future workforce. Volunteers stated that not only was there a deep sense of satisfaction in watching pupils become more confident, but their own communication skills improved significantly.
How do I get involved?
Delivery is managed by Words for Work hubs, organisations that work with schools and businesses in their local area. School and businesses can contact their local hub to find out more. Hubs map.
If you would like to discuss becoming a Words for Work hub, please contact us
Words for Work FAQs
Can I apply to run Words for Work?
Our projects are targeted in areas of social, economic or educational deprivation across the UK, and therefore not available to everyone. Organisations such as Education Business Partnerships (EBPs), community arms of football clubs and NHS Health Tecs are currently managing the delivery of Words for Work in their local area. Our hubs map shows locations across the UK that are running the programme.
If you are an organisation that would like to find out more about managing Words for Work in your local area with support from us, please contact us to register your interest.
Can I volunteer to help with Words for Work?
The first step would be for you to take a look at the Words for Work hubs map (above). This will show you where projects are being delivered across the UK. If there is a Words for Work hub near you, please get in touch with the hub using the contact details on the map.
If there is not a Words for Work hub near you, please contact us and tell us about your location, we may be able to find you an opportunity near you.
Further information about volunteering with the National Literacy Trust can be found here. For reading volunteering opportunities, contact Volunteer Reading Help. For more general volunteering opportunities, visit Do It or Timebank.
Can I fundraise for Words for Work?
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity and relies on voluntary contributions. We are always grateful to hear from groups or individuals interested in either fundraising for us or making a donation. Please visit our 'Support us' pages to find out more.
Can I access password-protected areas of the website?
Password-protected areas contain information that is intended for, and relevant only to, project coordinators running registered Words for Work projects. If you are running a Words for Work project and have mislaid your password, please contact us for a reminder.
I have a question related to my Words for Work project
Please contact us or visit the hubs zone if you are part of a hub delivering Words for Work, for advice on workshop delivery, volunteer recruitment, evaluation or anything else to do with your Words for Work project.
