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Literacy Programs

Shannon Trust

Shannon Trust is a company based in London, England that focuses on literacy programs for the public sector and society. Their mission is to promote literacy and improve the lives of individuals through education. Shannon Trust is committed to providing quality programs and resources to help individuals improve their literacy skills and achieve their goals.

Introduction to Shannon Trust

Shannon Trust is a UK-based charity organization that focuses on promoting literacy programs among prisoners. The company was founded in 1997 by a group of prisoners who recognized the importance of literacy skills in reducing recidivism rates. Their mission is to inspire and support prisoners who struggle with literacy by providing them with reading materials and training them to become peer mentors. Shannon Trust is unique in that it recognizes the transformative power of education in breaking the cycle of crime and poverty.

Services & products

Shannon Trust offers a variety of services to prisoners, including a comprehensive reading program that covers a range of genres and reading levels. They also provide training for peer mentors who can support fellow prisoners in developing their reading skills. Customers can buy books and other reading materials from the company's online store, and all proceeds go towards supporting their literacy programs.

Location

Shannon Trust is located in the heart of London, in the bustling district of Holborn. The area is known for its vibrant nightlife, trendy cafes, and boutique shops. It is home to many businesses, including law firms, financial institutions, and media companies. The nearest public transportation options include the Chancery Lane tube station (0.2 miles), Farringdon train station (0.4 miles), and City Thameslink train station (0.2 miles).

Benefits

Customers should choose Shannon Trust because of its unique approach to promoting literacy among prisoners. The company recognizes that education is a powerful tool for transforming lives, and their programs have been proven to reduce recidivism rates. By supporting Shannon Trust, customers can help to break the cycle of crime and poverty and promote a more just and equitable society.

Good to know

Customers should be aware that Shannon Trust relies heavily on donations from individuals and organizations. They also work closely with the public sector to promote literacy programs in prisons.

Reviews

Customers have praised Shannon Trust for their innovative approach to promoting literacy among prisoners. They appreciate the company's commitment to empowering prisoners and helping them to develop valuable skills that can benefit them both inside and outside of prison. Many customers also appreciate the transparency of the company's financials and their dedication to using donations effectively.

Amenities

  • amenity
    tutoring service
  • amenity
    literacy workshop
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    online resources
  • amenity
    reading assessment
  • amenity
    educational program

FAQ

What specific literacy programs do you offer?

We offer a peer mentoring program called Toe by Toe, which is designed for adults with low literacy skills. We also provide training and support for prison staff to run Shannon Trust reading groups in prisons. 

How do you determine the effectiveness of your literacy programs?

We measure the effectiveness of our programs through regular evaluations and feedback from participants. We also track the progress of individuals before and after participating in our programs, and use this data to continually improve our approach. 

What is the duration of your literacy programs?

The duration of our programs can vary depending on the specific program and the needs of the individual participant. Toe by Toe typically takes around six months to complete, while our prison reading groups can run for several months or longer. 

Is there a cost for your literacy programs? If so, what is the cost?

Our programs are offered free of charge to participants. 

What is the success rate of individuals who complete your literacy programs?

We are proud to say that the success rate of individuals who complete our programs is high. However, success can be measured in different ways, and we believe that any progress made towards improving literacy skills is a success. We regularly gather feedback from participants and use this to continually improve our programs. 

Reviews

  • Roy Barclay

    Doing a fantastic job despite the active resistance against their cause from within the incompetent, complacent, & corrupt to the core, Prison Service! So many inmates have benefitted from their simple reading & writing program; & so many more could if the institutionalised bigots running the Prison Service would allow volunteer tutors to do the best thing & bring literacy to those who were failed by mainstream schooling. Repeated surveys estimate at least half the UK prison population to have a reading age expected of a 10 year old. Many inmates are rated illiterate & so considered unemployable on release. At least a third of inmates have a diagnosable Learning Disability that has prevented them developing language skills during mainstream schooling. The Shannon Trust reading plan has been specifically designed to meet their needs & allows disadvantaged inmates to progress at their own pace, developing confidence that previous attempts at learning have typically eroded. I've participated as a volunteer tutor & the progress that the majority of inmates make is truly staggering. The Shannon Trust is serving to change lives for the better & cut reoffending rates in a way that the traditionalist Prison Service cannot achieve or wants to provide. It wants prison leavers to go out the gate, still as semi-literate as them...

    29-11-2022
  • lucy k

    29-05-2022