Giving something back – how corporate volunteers support Read Manchester 

Volunteers greatly enhance our Read Manchester offer, whether that is our Literacy Champions or the business community. We want to give a big shoutout to several local companies who have kindly devoted their time to Read Manchester recently. 

The following organisations have chosen to give back to their local communities by using their corporate volunteering hours to support Read Manchester

• Bethell 

• J Hopkins 

• Kiely Bros 

• Marston Holdings 

• Mitie 

• Pell Frischmann 

• Sapphire Utility Solutions 

• Thermal Road Repairs 

• Ventbrook 

• Waterman Aspen  

• WSP 

They have regularly given hours of their time and have delivered books and literacy resources across the whole of the city for us.  In the last year, we have benefitted from almost 300 hours of delivery time! 

They have delivered thousands of books to primary schools, high schools and hundreds of other community settings, including 

• Board books to Baby Banks 

• Bookstart Baby packs and Toddler packs to Manchester Registrar locations, childcare settings and Surestart Centres 

• Festive books to foodbanks and community grocers 

Read Manchester does not have a delivery van or driver, so we rely on corporate volunteers to help us deliver books and resources to settings.  Without the support from local businesses, we would not be able to support so many children, families and local groups. 

Here’s what some of our corporate supporters say about volunteering for Read Manchester- 

Jake Simpson from Pell Frischmann – 

Pell Frischmann support Read Manchester through assisting in their book delivery days. As reading is such an everyday skill, it can be taken for granted how important being literate is to a child’s development, and every child should have the chance to develop their literacy, regardless of their background. Supporting such a great local charity whose impact is so direct and clear, is a simple way that we can help make a real difference to young children in our local community. 

Claire Coldham from Ventbrook – 

At Ventbrook we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to develop strong reading skills and a lifelong love of learning, and by supporting Read Manchester it has allowed us to be part of their mission in improving literacy across the city. By delivering the books provided by Read Manchester directly to schools, we’re proud to be helping to ensure that children have access to quality reading materials and removing barriers and, hopefully, inspiring a new generation of book lovers.  “Being part of this initiative means so much to us” says Claire and Laura from Ventbrook “It’s a simple way to give back but the impact on the children is huge” 

Russell Cave from Sapphire Utility Solutions – 

At Sapphire Utility Solutions, we are passionate about making a lasting, positive impact in the communities we serve. Supporting Read Manchester aligns perfectly with our values, particularly in helping to improve literacy and inspire a love of reading among children across the city. 

We were proud to support the recent initiative distributing Break Time book collections and Bookstart Preschooler packs to over 140 schools — truly incredible achievement. Our team thoroughly enjoyed being part of something that directly benefits young people and their educational journeys. 

Partnerships like this not only allow us to give back but also to be actively involved in shaping a brighter, more literate future for Manchester’s children. We’re proud to stand alongside Read Manchester in their mission and look forward to continuing our support. 

Aidan Conway, Managing Director, Thermal Road Repairs – 

Supporting children is one of the most impactful things we can do to help shape a better future and reading is without doubt the most essential lifelong skill they need to thrive.  As a family company, we strongly believe in supporting not only children but young adults, and this is why we are committed to helping Read Manchester with their goal in raising literacy levels and changing life stories across the city. 

If you’re interested in volunteering, either as an individual or as a business, please do get in touch with Suzi at readmcrbooks@manchester.gov.uk