Southwest law firm pledges to boost reading skills in Plymouth

Southwest law firm GA Solicitors has pledged its support to Plymouth Children in Poverty’s Tiny Tales project. Plymouth Children in Poverty (PCIP) is GA Solicitors chosen charity for 2022-23.
PCiP is an early intervention initiative spearheaded by the Plymouth Drake Foundation Charity, their goal consists of a roadmap of multiple interventions throughout childhood, to help disadvantaged children grow, learn, and aspire from an early age.
The firm aims to raise £2000 where the funding will support the expansion of Tiny Tales and help to ensure the continuation of this project and leave a legacy through the gifting of books after each session and creating the children’s first little library at home. The books will not be wrapped in paper but wrapped in the lasting memory of each unique, interactive, creative, and theatrical storytelling session.
GA’s support will also include the opportunity to volunteer time to support Year 3 primary-aged children to reach the benchmark reading standards and fundraising money to provide books.
PCiP’s key findings have shown the following:
- 71% of convicted youth offenders have communication and literacy barriers
- 54% of children from a disadvantaged background did not meet a basic reading standard at the end of KS1
- Children who own a book of their own at home are six times more likely to read above the level
Kerry Bidewell, Development Manager at PCiP commented: “Tiny Tales is an incredible project and is the earliest intervention marker on the Plymouth Children in Poverty Roadmap. With the overwhelming support offered by the team at GA Solicitors, we are able to reach more children, quickly. Gifting vulnerable children their very first little library of books is an incredible gift and one that will keep giving – thank you to everyone at GA Solicitors”.
GA Solicitors prides itself on its community engagement and charitable support. Some 20 organisations are currently supported by the firm and members of its staff.
David Wallis, Managing Partner of GA Solicitors, commented: “We are living in a time of extraordinary challenges, and we are honoured to be working alongside PCiP and other local businesses to further support their projects in ensuring young people have a bright future ahead. The key findings have brought this to our attention, and it was very clear from the beginning that this was our chosen Charity of the Year”.
Ends
GA Solicitors can trace its roots back more than 200 years and has been advising the people and businesses in the South West for its duration. Originally based in Devonport, the firm gets its initials from Thomas Husband Gill who joined the practice in 1875 and later went into partnership with Albert E. Akaster.
Now one of the region’s leading law firms, the 78-strong team at the Lexcel-accredited LLP, has offices in both Plymouth and Bath. It is ranked in The Legal 500, Chambers UK and Chambers High Net Worth and is structured around eight practice areas, each comprising its own specialist department:
For more information visit: www.GAsolicitors.com
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