The Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland furthers its commitment to improving children's literacy

Press Release, 12 Aug 2021

The Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland furthers its commitment to the National Literacy Trust

Thursday 12^th August 2021, London, United Kingdom

Today, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) UK & Ireland is delighted to announce a three-year £150,000 commitment to the National Literacy Trust, supporting the charity’s Words for Work: Dream Big Programme and two important new research grants.

National Literacy Trust’s Words for Work: Dream Big programme helps primary school children aged 5 –7 each year to develop literacy skills, raise their aspirations and challenge stereotypes. In addition to providing funding, ELC UK & Ireland volunteers will work with pupils to develop children’s literacy skills and encourage them to think about the world of work.

The donation will also fund two new research grants. The first will focus on reluctant girl readers and how literacy engagement among girls aged 8 – 18, a group of children who are not often a focus area for research, has been impacted both pre-COVID-19 and during the pandemic. The second research grant will conduct a literature review and survey of 3,000 young people exploring issues around speaking for empowerment and effective communication skills.

Sue Fox, President, ELC UK & Ireland, said: “We’re proud to strengthen our commitment to supporting children’s literacy and girls’ advancement, in partnership with the National Literacy Trust. As a company, we believe that literacy is not only key to unlocking young people’s full potential, but also vital to creating a more equal society. We know that sadly the pandemic has widened the attainment gap for children and our strengthened commitment aims to improve the education and life aspirations of pupils.”

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust said: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with The Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland. Over the next three years we will work together to help understand the root causes of literacy failure in the UK and take practical steps through Words for Work: Dream Big to help hundreds of children develop the literacy skills they need to thrive. The pandemic has impacted on the literacy of a generation and exacerbated the impact of poverty on reading and attainment. There has never been a more pressing need for new partners in our mission and we are grateful for ELC UK and Ireland’s commitment to children’s learning and literacy.”

Today’s announcement forms part of ELC UK & Ireland’s overall commitment to supporting children’s literacy to help children to acquire the necessary skills they need to improve their educational attainment and increase the likelihood of upward social mobility. To date, the company has built four libraries, donated over 6,000 books and directly impacted over 1,000 children in local communities in which it operates through its partnership with charity United Way’s Reading Oasis programme.

Since 2019, ELC UK & Ireland has been a signatory of The National Literacy Trust’s Vision for Literacy Business Pledge. Earlier this year, ELC’s employee giving platform, ELC Good Works, awarded employees £15 per hour spent reading with a child, to donate to causes closest to their heart. In addition, ELC UK & Ireland recently announced a new commitment to preparing disadvantaged young women to make plans for the future through work, education and training in partnership with the Young Women’s Trust and The Prince’s Trust.

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About The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The Company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, Tommy Hilfiger, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Donna Karan New York, DKNY, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Michael Kors, Darphin, Tom Ford Beauty, Smashbox, Ermenegildo Zegna, AERIN, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, Kilian Paris, Too Faced, Dr. Jart+, and the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD.

About the National Literacy Trust
Our mission is to improve the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills of those who need it most, giving them the best possible chance of success in school, work and life. We run Literacy Hubs and campaigns in communities where low levels of literacy and social mobility are seriously impacting people’s lives. We support schools and early years settings to deliver outstanding literacy provision, and we campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians, businesses and parents.
Our research and analysis make us the leading authority on literacy and drive our interventions. Literacy is a vital element of action against poverty and our work changes children and young people’s life stories. Our new site Words for Life provides simple, fun and educational activities for children and young people aged 0-24 to support learning at home and help them feel more confident.
Visit literacytrust.org.uk to find out more, donate or sign up for our free email newsletter. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL.