At Mewburn Ellis, we believe that reading is more than just a foundational skill, it's a gateway to opportunity, imagination and success.
That’s why we’re proud to continue our partnership with the National Literacy Trust, supporting several powerful initiatives aimed at tackling the literacy gap across the UK.
Together, we are investing in projects that directly impact children and families. From equipping schools with inspiring library spaces to encouraging reading for pleasure through free books in local communities. Here's an overview of what we're working on.
Libraries for Primaries:
In many schools, especially those in disadvantaged areas, the school library is either non-existent or in desperate need of revitalisation. In fact, 1 in 7 state primary schools in England have no dedicated library or reading space, a number that rises to 1 in 4 in the most disadvantaged communities.
We are proud to be supporting the National Literacy Trust’s Libraries for Primaries initiative, which helps transform under-resourced school libraries into welcoming and inspiring places that support a love of reading.
Our most recent £40,000 donation will support libraries in Bristol, London, Manchester, and Cambridge. Each school involved will receive a comprehensive transformation package including:
- 500 high-quality, diverse and inclusive books
- A starter pack of library furniture
- An audio player and story cards
- Online training and literacy support for staff
- A live author visit to inspire pupils
- National Literacy Trust school membership
- Tailored support and long-term engagement
These libraries do more than house books, they help level the playing field, give children access to stories that reflect their world, and build a culture of reading for pleasure.
Reading for pleasure is one of the biggest indicators of a child’s future success, regardless of background. Libraries are key to this, and we’re proud to help more children access the reading spaces they deserve.
Maria Hall, Chief Commercial Officer
Look for a Book:
Launching in summer 2025, Look for a Book is a joyful, interactive initiative designed to get free books into the hands of children, outside of the classroom.
Here's how it works:
Specially curated book packs are placed in local communities near all our UK office locations.
Each pack contains a free children’s book, bookmark, flyers for caregivers with reading tips, and an explanation of where the pack came from, all tucked into a waterproof zip bag.
Mewburn Ellis employees are invited to take a pack and leave it in a community space (such as a park bench, playground, or library garden) for a child to discover.
This year, 300 book packs will be distributed aiming to create little moments of surprise, delight, and connection with reading.
Vision for Literacy Pledge:
We also formally signed the Vision for Literacy Pledge, joining a growing number of organisations committed to addressing the literacy challenge in the UK.
This pledge represents a promise to:
- Recognise literacy as a social justice issue
- Work to help to close the literacy gap within our communities
- Use our voice, resources and networks to promote the importance of reading
This is particularly urgent given recent findings from the National Literacy Trust:
- 1 in 4 children leave primary school without the literacy skills they need
- Enjoyment of writing is at its lowest recorded level
- Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately affected
By signing the pledge, we reaffirm our belief that literacy is essential for opportunity and wellbeing and commit to playing an active role in creating change.
National Year of Reading 2026:
We are proud to support the newly announced National Year of Reading 2026, a Department for Education campaign that will be delivered by the National Literacy Trust.
This bold, society-wide initiative will:
- Engage new audiences with reading
- Promote reading for pleasure in homes, schools and communities
- Address the steep national decline in reading enjoyment
- Change how reading is perceived and valued in our culture
The campaign will run throughout 2026 and aims to redefine reading as a modern, inclusive and powerful activity - not just for children, but for adults too.
As part of our partnership with the National Literacy Trust, we’ll be helping to promote the campaign and encouraging colleagues, clients and communities to get involved.
“Reading is the foundation of a successful life – the key to unlocking potential, strengthening social cohesion, enhancing wellbeing and boosting skills.”
Jonathan Douglas, CEO, National Literacy Trust
Library Trail:
We are supporting the Manchester Library Trail for a full year. This inspiring community initiative is dedicated to promoting, maintaining, and creating little libraries across Greater Manchester. Originally set up during the COVID, its mission is to provide barrier-free access to books for everyone in the community. Our support helps sustain not only the physical libraries themselves but also the wider infrastructure that brings them to life - including an up-to-date map and website showcasing all locations. The initiative also produces printed maps, hosts pop-up events to raise awareness, and runs an online book club to connect readers and encourage a shared love of books. The first purchase has been made, which is a replacement for a little library "The Hutch", which had seen better days and was beginning to fall apart. A new little library hutch has been purchased, along with some paint and materials to secure it in place.
Literacy Champions:
Literacy Champions are a National Literacy Trust community volunteering programme that raises awareness of the importance of literacy in underserved communities across the country. We have funded the recruitment and training of up to 15 Literacy Champions in Manchester, Swindon, and Peterborough. Volunteers are trained to understand local literacy challenges and deliver informal activities to address them. They support existing literacy projects or set up small-scale initiatives of their own. Literacy Champions are self-led volunteers who are passionate about making a difference. As trusted local voices, they act as advocates, influencers and fundraisers who understand the power of literacy to change lives.
Why Literacy?
Literacy opens doors. It empowers people to shape their futures, connect with others, and engage fully in society. But access to books, time to read, and support from adults are not equally distributed and that’s where collective action comes in.
At Mewburn Ellis, we’re committed to playing our part. Whether through funding, awareness, volunteering or partnerships, we believe that fostering a love of reading is one of the most impactful things we can do.
We are proud to be working with the National Literacy Trust and we’re just getting started.
To follow our ongoing work with the National Literacy Trust and explore ways to get involved, visit our spotlight page.
