​At Carrington West, we pride ourselves on meaningful community involvement, so when we had the opportunity to partner, for the second year running, with local charity, The Literacy Hubs, to sponsor a three-day summer club, we jumped at the chance This initiative was aimed at supporting children's literacy in the Portsmouth area, specifically focusing on enhancing the reading and writing skills of 25 young participants.

The Literacy Hubs, based in Southsea, is a charity committed to closing the literacy gap among children in the local community. By working closely with councils, schools, and community groups, The Literacy Hubs provides additional support and engaging activities that inspire a love for reading and writing in children. Understanding the importance of this cause, Carrington West chose to support the charity as part of their ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in the community.

Beth Gregory, Carrington West's CSR Champion, explained the motivation behind this partnership: "We chose to work with The Literacy Hubs as they are local to our business, and based on employee feedback, working with a children's charity was important to our staff." This sentiment reflects the company's dedication not only to corporate responsibility but also to aligning their initiatives with the values and interests of their employees.

The three day summer club, provided a unique and creative experience for the children. Over the course of three days, the young participants were guided by visiting illustrator and patron Anita Mangan, in the process of creating their own comic book stories. The week kicked off with a reading session, where the children were introduced to various comic stories, sparking their imagination and excitement. Carrington West staff members were actively involved, sitting with the children to help them draft their initial story ideas.

The following days were filled with creativity and collaboration as the children worked on bringing their stories to life. With guidance and support, they began drawing and building out their narratives, transforming their ideas into vivid comic strips. The involvement from the staff made the experience even more rewarding, as they shared their own skills and experiences, fostering a sense of accomplishment among the young writers.

On the final day, the children focused on refining their work, putting all their notes and drawings together to produce a final version of their comic stories. To celebrate their hard work, a prize-giving ceremony was held, where each child received a certificate of achievement. In addition to this, the children were also given a comic booklet to encourage them to continue creating stories over the summer holidays.

The event concluded with a series of fun activities, including games and a special reading session in the "pirates' cave," a themed area that added an element of adventure to the day's events. The enthusiasm and joy among the children were palpable, and the experience left a lasting impression on both the participants and the Carrington West team.

Reflecting on the experience, volunteer Holly Hall shared, “one child shared a particularly imaginative story about waking up with fairy wings, while another recounted an adventurous camping trip that ended in a thrilling (and fictional) kidnapping. These stories not only showcased the children's creativity but also highlighted the importance of fostering a love for storytelling and literacy from a young age.”

Beth Gregory summed up the event: "We definitely have a new respect for teachers—we thought the world of recruitment was hard!" The success of this initiative not only strengthened Carrington West's ties with the local community but also reinforced the company's commitment to supporting causes that matter to their employees.

The comic books created by the children will be printed and distributed to them when they return to school, serving as a lasting reminder of their creative achievements and the support they received from their community. Carrington West's partnership with The Literacy Hubs exemplifies the positive impact that businesses can have when they invest in local initiatives that empower and inspire the next generation.