ELC UK & Ireland Signs National Literacy Trust’s Literacy Business Pledge 2021

Press Release, 16 Dec 2020

We are delighted to share that today, ELC UK & Ireland has signed The National Literacy Trust’s Vision for Literacy Business Pledge 2021, renewing the company’s commitment to raising literacy levels in areas of need in local communities.

Part of the Region’s corporate commitment to tackling social mobility, this is the second year that the Region has signed the Literacy Business Pledge. This year, the pledge includes a new commitment around strengthening employee engagement in advancing literacy skills.

Sue Fox, SVP/GM UK & Ireland Commented:

"I passionately believe that every child should have the benefit of listening to or reading books. Storytelling enhances a child’s imagination, expands their vocabulary and improves their overall educational attainment.

"Sadly not all children have access to books at home but by continuing to fund new libraries in primary schools, donate books and provide volunteering opportunities for our employees to read to pupils we hope that more children will have the chance to love reading."

Lisa Rootes, Head of Partnerships at the National Literacy Trust said:
“We’ d like to say a big thank you to The Estée Lauder Companies for signing our Vision for Literacy Pledge, supporting our mission to raise literacy levels and empower children and young people with the reading and writing skills and confidence they need to succeed in life.”

To date, the UK & Ireland Region has donated over 6,000 books and directly impacted more than 1,000 children through its partnership with charity United Way’s Reading Oasis programme, which builds dedicated spaces in primary schools in disadvantaged areas. The partnership with United Way enables company employees to volunteer their time to support the Reading Buddies initiative, through one-off library building and ongoing monthly group reading opportunities.

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that works with schools and communities to give disadvantaged children the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. The Vision for Literacy Business Pledge 2021 re-emphasises the importance of businesses advancing literacy skills and helping children to acquire the necessary skills they need to become healthy and productive adults.