Local companies asked to volunteer staff to National Literacy Trust's schools campaign

As part of its Words for Work programme, the charity is encouraging local businesses to bring groups of employees into a secondary school to help young people prepare for the world of work.

On Thursday April 6, Words for Work will take place at Hanson Academy in Swain House. The programme has been running successfully in Bradford for the last 12 months, focusing on highlighting the importance of literacy for success in employment. The programme also aims to improve young people’s communication, speaking and listening skills and give them more confidence in their own abilities.

After completing Words for Work, young people can adapt their communication style to suit the workplace, ask questions to improve their knowledge, listen effectively and understand how to communicate, verbally and on paper.

Stacy Walsh, English teacher at Hanson Academy, said: “We are excited to be running Words for Work again. The programme provides our students with a chance to develop their speaking and listening skills which are vital to their future employability prospects. The presence of business volunteers are an invaluable part of the intervention. They bring a completely new perspective to the students.”

The Trust is seeking volunteers from a range of employment backgrounds who have experience in the workplace to share the insights and experiences which have shaped their own careers.

No previous experience of teaching or working with young people is necessary to become a Words for Work volunteer, as full training will be provided. All volunteers need is a genuine desire to work with young people and to be patient and flexible.

Words for Work at Hanson Academy will take place on April 6 between 8.20am and 1.30pm.

To find out more and to express interest in becoming a Words for Work volunteer in Bradford, email wfw@literacytrust.org.uk, or visit literacytrust.org.uk/words_for_work.