Wimpy, the well-loved restaurant group, is teaming up with the National Literacy Trust’s Words for Life campaign in a bid to encourage and empower parents to actively develop their children’s learning.
One in six children are failing to achieve the reading level expected at age 11 but research has shown that children are twice as likely to read and have stronger literacy skills if they are encouraged by their parents.
Wimpy is getting behind this campaign and opening its doors to the local community during the school holidays to bring a fun and exciting element to learning. Children and parents alike in Southend can look forward to participating in a morning of magical storytelling sessions in a refreshing and friendly environment.
During the course of the morning there will be a hive of activity in the restaurant. Our specially chosen storyteller will be reading a selection of popular books with the children and will show them just how much fun and enjoyment they can get out of reading. The team at Wimpy will also be treating the guests who join in the storytelling sessions to a complimentary tea or coffee on the day .
Jack Sallabank, Manager, ‘Words for Life’ comments, “We’re excited to be working with Wimpy restaurants to engage families in reading during the summer holidays with these storytelling events.
“Schools and parents often report a noticeable dip in a child’s literacy level when they return from the summer break so it’s important to keep their minds active and feed their imaginations.
“We hope the children who attend these Wimpy and Words for Life events will be inspired by the magic of stories and feel motivated to pick up a book or ten this summer!”
Clare Starling, Marketing Manager Wimpy adds, “The Wimpy brand has a strong connection with families so having the opportunity to get involved and help support the Words for Life campaign in our restaurants is great.
“We hope that by encouraging adults – be it parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or guardians – to bring their kids and spend time in our restaurants where they can enjoy storytelling in a fun environment will help ignite their passion for books and reading.”
The Words for Life event is being held at the Wimpy Restaurant, 226 – 227 Churchill Square, Victoria Centre, Southend SS2 5SD on 3rd August 2011 at 10am.
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For more information about Wimpy please contact:
Niki Duncan
Galvanise Communications
E niki@galvanisecommunications.com
M 07899 730 162
T 020 8870 6782
Notes to Editors
About Wimpy
The Wimpy brand was born out of the Lyons tea rooms. The first tea room opened in Piccadilly in 1894 and the first Corner House in 1909. The company expanded to become an important part of the British High street
In 1954 Lyons opened a new restaurant format ‘Wimpy’ Bars. The format was a huge success and had soon outstripped Lyons as the predominant brand
By the early 1970s the business had expanded to over a thousand restaurants in 23 countries
In 1989 many of the Wimpy restaurants across the UK were rebranded as Burger King. The remaining Wimpy restaurants were mostly differentiated by offering table service
In 2007, Famous Brands Limited – which own the Wimpy brand in South Africa representing a network in excess of 450 franchised restaurants – purchased the UK business
About Words for Life
Words for Life is a targeted social marketing campaign delivered by the National Literacy Trust. By working with partner organisations Words for Life engages a wider audience in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The campaign aims to encourage and empower parents to help actively in developing their child’s learning.
Visit the Words for Life website for tips, advice and great competitions at www.wordsforlife.org.uk
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through literacy. We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of support.
To help us transform lives through literacy, you can make a donation. To find out how visit http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/support
National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486. Registered in England and Wales. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Tel: 020 7587 1842.
For more information about Words for Life and the National Literacy Trust, please contact Anna Lindsay, Public Relations Officer on 0207 820 6256 or anna.lindsay@literacytrust.or.uk
