Law Firm Joins Businesses Committed To Tackling UK’s Literacy Challenge

Irwin Mitchell has committed to tackling the UK’s literacy challenge by signing the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge 2023.

The national law firm is the latest business to sign the Vision for Literacy Pledge 2023. Conceived by the National Literacy Trust, by working with businesses, schools, charities and government, the aim is to prioritise literacy skills in the community and ensure that young people most affected by the cost-of-living crisis are given the support they need to thrive.

Those businesses signing the pledge recognise that support must be focused on areas of disadvantage, as lacking vital literacy skills holds people back at every stage of their life. Children struggle to succeed at school, while as adults they will be locked out of the job market. As parents, they won’t be able to support the learning of their own children.

Signatories to the pledge have committed to working with local schools and libraries, in addition to promoting volunteer opportunities for staff. Signing the pledge follows the National Literacy Trust being named as one of three new national charity partners Irwin Mitchell is supporting.

Voted for by colleagues at the firm, the new charity partnerships initiative aims to deliver long-term focused support, combining volunteering, fundraising and pro bono work of which supporting the pledge will form an important part.

National Literacy Trust research reveals that one in five parents and caregivers say they are buying fewer books for their children because of economic pressures. This rises to one in three among those facing financial hardship, while half a million children in the UK do not own a single book of their own at home.

By supporting the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge and working with the National Literacy Trust as a charity partner, Irwin Mitchell aims to build on its long track record in community investment and cement its ambitions to be a leading responsible business.

Expert Opinion

“We’re proud to be working alongside the National Literacy Trust and as one of our new national charity partners.

“Together with our colleagues, we’ll be engaging with the National Literacy Trust on the practical steps we can take to help close the literacy gap, by continuing to support the communities where we all live and work and using our new partnership to help shine a spotlight on the issues at regional and national level.” Kate Fergusson - Head of Responsible Business

Launched in 1993, The National Literacy Trust aims to transform lives through literacy and is dedicated to raising literacy levels across the UK, working with schools and local communities.

Literacy is a vital element of action against poverty and improving reading and writing boosts life chances and employability – ultimately enabling children to reach their full potential.

To find out more about the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge 2023, visit:

https://literacytrust.org.uk/policy-and-campaigns/businesspledge/