150 local women and corporate volunteers today came together at the City Gateway Women‟s project for the launch of a new Literacy Lunch volunteering scheme . The programme is part of the charity‟s new „Volunteering Ten Minutes From Your Office‟ initiative, giving City and Wharf workers volunteering opportunities they can take up in their lunch breaks or straight after work. The Literacy Lunch project addresses poor adult literacy rates by offering businessmen and women the chance to mentor local women within an informal and fun environment.

The event introduced participants to some of the activities that will provide the basis for the scheme: Small clusters of women and volunteers gathered around brightly coloured tables to participate in informal conversation, games and to enjoy a range of healthy snacks provided by Flavour Gateway (A catering social enterprise developed and run by other women at the centre following a business course last year). Volunteers came from a range of firms including Ashurst, Allen & Overy, State Street and Societe Generale.

Commenting on the potential impact of the programme, Victoria Liberova, one of the attendee‟s explained: 'My background and passion is in Graphic Design but as I have only lived in England for a few months, I still need more practice with conversation and pronunciation. „Now I am able to practice my English in a way that is practical and relevant to what I need to use in everyday life, like calling the bank or attending a job interview. I have enjoyed coming to Literacy Lunch so much and I know that this will be a great help in finding a job'.

The benefits of the scheme are not limited to the women: a volunteer from State Street Bank remarked, 'Today has been so rewarding. I have loved the experience of helping to teach women literacy using these fun activities. I'm already looking forward to my next visit'.

The ongoing initiative gives those who might be too busy to take part in traditional volunteering schemes a chance to support the community in which they work. Activities will range from basic literacy games, reading and informal chat to more advanced assistance such as interview technique, letter writing and filling out application forms.

Commenting previously at the official launch of the „Volunteering Ten Minutes From Your Office‟ scheme two months ago, Sir Ian McKellen remarked that:

“Everyone needs encouragement, everyone wants a good laugh, everyone wants to develop themselves, and projects like City Gateway begin to allow that to happen. Firms in the area have a duty, they‟re lucky to be here. They can be stuck in all of this new development and around them, if they just looked out of their windows, on the street level there are people who need help, through no fault of their own.”

Anyone interested in participating either as a learner or volunteer should contact, jessie.savage@citygateway.org.uk or visit www.citygateway.org.uk/volunteering.