Carillion makes an impact in its local community
Carillon has partnered with LEGO and Balletomane to help fulfil the pledge.
Carillion was one of the 44 inaugural signatories of the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge in 2016. Leading businesses have committed to helping raise literacy levels in the UK by taking clear action in three areas: within their workforce, in their local communities and at a national level.
This year Carillion has made a valuable impact in local communities through a range of activities in libraries. Cultural Community Solutions Ltd (CCS) is a subsidiary of Carillion which manages 44 libraries on behalf of local authorities in London, Croydon, Ealing, Harrow and Hounslow.

Carillion developed a partnership with LEGO Education to deliver a series of workshops in these libraries, which focus on developing children’s literacy and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) knowledge by using LEGO Education resources and their imagination. The workshops have helped to attract more library visitors and have received positive feedback — 83% of parents have rated the sessions as excellent. Evidence from national data and recent National Literacy Trust research consistently shows that boys are at significant risk of underachievement in reading and writing. The LEGO Education sessions appeal to boys in particular, allowing them to combine literacy with team building and coding. Boys make up 70% of the 854 children who have attended to date.
Carillion has also partnered with Balletomane on the Words through Movement project, which has helped to engage children in reading for enjoyment. The project involved working with author Katie Dale, whose story Three Magic Mice was brought to life through dance and movement. Children who participated were inspired to read the story and each received a signed copy of the book, along with the chance to meet the author. Celebratory events were held across the libraries managed by CCS, with 318 people coming together to enjoy the dance and library surroundings.
Demonstrating Carillion’s commitment to engaging employees in the literacy challenge, colleagues each have six days paid volunteering leave per year. From January to June 2016, 217 employees invested 2,713 hours of their time in school activities, engaging nearly 20,000 students. Activities have included helping young children’s reading with Beanstalk in Wolverhampton and supporting projects as part of BITC’s Business Class programme.
Find out more about the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge and how to get involved.
Originally published at www.literacytrust.org.uk.
