Media
The Very Group names the National Literacy Trust as its new charity partner
March 4, 2025
The Very Group, which operates digital retailers Very and Littlewoods, has today announced that the National Literacy Trust will be its charity partner for the next three years.
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity which works with schools, communities and partners across the UK to empower children, young people and adults with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life.
Aiming to raise £450,000 through colleague activities and events, The Very Group plans to support the charity to help more children develop a love for reading as research revealed just one in three 8-18 years olds said they enjoyed reading in their spare time.
The money raised by colleagues from across the business will be used to support communities across the country with a focus on Liverpool and the Midlands.
In Liverpool, the home of The Very Group, the money raised will help the National Literacy Trust launch a new community programme to support families living in the most disadvantaged areas of the city.
Through events, book-gifting and family-facing resources, parents will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence they need to support their children’s early literacy skills at home. The programme will also work with nurseries, playgroups and family hubs to further support children.
Sarah Willett, chief people officer at The Very Group, said: “Charity has always been a big part of our culture here at Very, and over the past ten years, we’ve supported five different charities and raised millions of pounds. Our purpose is to help families get more out of life, and that’s exactly what this partnership does!
“We hope that, through this new partnership with the National Literacy Trust, we’re able to inspire children and give them the literacy skills they need to succeed. However, reading isn’t just about success – it’s about enjoyment and finding topics which inspire us throughout life.
“The National Literacy Trust is an exciting charity to be involved with and we have lots of fundraising plans lined up for the next 12 months. I can’t wait to see how our partnership helps people in our local communities.”
Jonathan Douglas, chief executive of the National Literacy Trust, commented: “Literacy can have a positive impact on so many areas of children’s lives, from boosting their confidence and wellbeing to improving academic performance and future outcomes – setting them up for a bright future.
“But vast numbers of children and young people across the UK don’t have the reading, writing and oracy skills they need to thrive, with those living in disadvantaged communities at greatest risk of falling behind.
“Over the next three years, our partnership with The Very Group will strive to break this cycle. Working with local communities, educators and families, we will together empower more children and young people who need it most with the literacy skills to get the most out of life and the power to shape their futures.”
The Very Group’s previous charity partnership exceeded fundraising targets to help Coram Beanstalk fund one-on-one reading support for more than 40,000 children.
Contact information
Media relations
Claire Newmarch | Claire.newmarch@theverygroup.com | 07707 855 789
Notes to editors
About The Very Group
With annual revenue of over £2bn, The Very Group is a unique digital business that combines online retail and flexible payments. Our digital retail brands, Very and Littlewoods, help to bring over 2,000 desirable labels within easy reach of more customers.
Across electrical, home, fashion and more, we sell everything our 4.3 million customers could need, except food. And our flexible payment options, which are provided responsibly via our Very Pay platform and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, help our customers manage their household budgets.
We have over a hundred years of history behind us, but at our heart there is a passion for change – to constantly improve what we do, to innovate with data and technology at our core and to be the best possible place to work.
For more information, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that empowers children, young people and adults with the literacy skills they need to succeed. Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills give you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. For over 30 years the National Literacy Trust has continued to support schools, families and communities on a local and national level to help people change their stories.
literacytrust.org.uk
