Young Literacy Programme Receives Boost from Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation

A charity which has helped bring school students and employers together in Tower Hamlets for almost 30 years has received a four-figure donation from Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation.

Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership (THEBP) will use the funds to redesign and print logbooks for its Reading Partners programme, which sees volunteers entering over 35 schools in the borough to help improve literacy. Each student works individually with a reader every week to improve their technical reading skills, comprehension, vocabulary – and also to enhance their enjoyment of reading in their spare time.

Alongside the donation, staff from the firm’s London office are encouraged to take part in the volunteering programme to become readers themselves and enter the community to provide assistance.

Megan Hunter, deputy director for partnerships at Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership, says: “Many young people join primary school in our borough having faced numerous difficulties in their lives, so they often have a developmental age of 18 months below the expected level. The Reading Partners programme help them build confidence and improve their skills – providing a higher level of literacy that allows them access to better qualifications and career opportunities in the future.”

“Our team is thrilled once again to have the support of Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation. Their generosity will help over a thousand primary students this academic year get their literacy levels back on track.”

Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation’s support follows a donation in 2018 to the charity’s Head to Head programme, during which secondary school-aged students are given support from the business community in interview skills. Staff from Aberdeen Standard Investments joined the process, helping run mock interviews and providing CV clinics for the young people.

Claire Drummond, head of charitable giving for Aberdeen Standard Investments, says: “It’s easy to take our own literacy for granted, but for those who struggle to comprehend the written word life can be a real struggle. We read every day – whether it’s on our phones, at work, or even menus while out socialising – so anything which can help improve literacy and make life easier for children is extremely worthwhile. We relish the chance to continue to work with THEBP – providing not only financial support, but also getting out there to volunteer and impact positively on young lives in our local area.”

The Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. The Foundation seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact. It encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects. For more information visit

https://www.aberdeenstandard.com/en/who-we-are/charitable-foundation