Celebrating a Milestone: Close Brothers Reaches 1,000 Reading Sessions with Bookmark
We are thrilled to announce that Close Brothers has become the first of our corporate partners to achieve the incredible milestone of 1,000 reading sessions!
This significant accomplishment not only highlights Close Brothers as a top source of volunteers but also underscores their commitment to supporting children who need it the most.
Close Brothers have partnered with Bookmark for a number of years, with their colleagues taking part in voluntary reading sessions to help children to succeed in school and beyond. They’ve dedicated over 500 hours of their time to our cause and have truly made a tangible difference in the lives of children in disadvantaged communities.
Let’s hear from Close Brothers about this remarkable achievement.
Close Brothers
Close Brothers Group CEO, Adrian Sainsbury, shared his pride in this achievement and the positive impact of the partnership with Bookmark.
I am incredibly proud of the positive impact Close Brothers has through our charitable partnerships. This is especially true with Bookmark, the children’s literacy charity. I was fortunate to meet the founders of Bookmark 7 years ago and to learn about the excellent work they undertake. I am inspired that our colleagues are making a tangible difference in the lives of disadvantaged children, equipping them with essential reading skills and fostering a love of learning. This milestone not only reflects our commitment to social responsibility but also underscores the transformative power of education in providing every child with a fair chance in life.
Rebekah Etherington, Group Head of HR and Chair of the Group Charity Committee, also shared her enthusiasm for this milestone.
I am delighted to learn that Close Brothers colleagues have reached the milestone of 1,000 reading sessions with Bookmark. We are grateful to everyone who has given their time to read to children through the programme, advancing social mobility and creating a lasting positive impact in the communities where we operate.
Since the beginning of their partnership with Bookmark, Close Brothers has demonstrated exceptional dedication to fostering literacy and education among children. Their employees have engaged in various creative ways to support our organisation, and their efforts have now culminated in this remarkable achievement.
Flexible Volunteering
One of the key factors contributing to the success of this partnership is the ease of volunteering during working hours. Our online booking system offers the opportunity to book flexible online sessions that allow employees to volunteer at times that fit their schedules. This flexibility ensures that busy professionals can make a meaningful impact without compromising their work responsibilities.
Emily Jack, Bookmark’s CEO, expressed her gratitude for Close Brothers” ongoing support and the impact of their volunteers.
We are very grateful to Close Brothers for choosing to partner with Bookmark Reading Charity. The engagement from their employees has been incredible with employees recently reaching the wonderful milestone of 1,000 reading sessions! This is in addition to the other creative ways Close Brothers has supported our organisation since our partnership began in 2020. Reading online with a child for thirty minutes a week really can change children’s stories and Close Brothers’ employees have positively impacted hundreds of children’s lives by inspiring the joy of reading. Our volunteer community plays a crucial part in helping to ensure children succeed in life. Thank you to the team at Close Brothers and we look forward to strengthening our working relationship over the years to come.
The Impact of Corporate Volunteering
Not only is corporate volunteering a great way to engage your employees with a purpose-driven opportunity and boost your organisation’s CSR approach, it also makes a transformative difference to children who need it the most.
By dedicating just thirty minutes a week within your working day, to reading online with a child, your employees can help to spark the joy of reading and provide essential skills that will contribute to a brighter future for children.
Corporate Partnerships
The partnership between Bookmark and Close Brothers is a shining example of how businesses can play a crucial role in supporting education and literacy. Through partnering with us, we can provide every child with the opportunity to experience the transformative power of reading.
Thank you, Close Brothers, for your unwavering support and for making a lasting impact on children’s lives.
If you are interested in learning more about our programmes or getting involved, please click here to read more.
Become a corporate partner
Our corporate partners have an amazing and diverse range of skills, experience and products to offer that help us to support children’s literacy.
