Working together to inspire the next generation of readers

In 2019 McCarthy & Stone is supporting the national children's reading charity, Coram Beanstalk, to help ensure that no child is left behind because of poor literacy. The partnership aims to raise more than £100,000 for Coram Beanstalk as well as encouraging homeowners and employees to become volunteer reading helpers themselves. Together we will inspire the next generation of readers!

If you are a McCarthy & Stone employee or homeowner, keep reading to learn how to get involved...

Fundraise for us!

Help raise vital funds for Coram Beanstalk by taking part in one of our key events or get together with friends or colleagues and organise your own. Download our fundraising pack for details of events and easy fundraising ideas, or simply fill in this expression of interest form to let us know what you are interested in and Coram Beanstalk's fundraising team will be in touch to provide you with everything you need to get started.

All funds raised go through the McCarthy & Stone Just Giving page, which you will have to register for. Advice on how to register can be found in this handy guide. 

Upcoming fundraising opportunities

Literary Laughs Christmas Quiz (December)

In partnership with our friends at Literary Laughs (www.literarylaughs.co.uk), this ready-made festive quiz event is sure to get your literary juices flowing! Book a venue, secure some prizes, charge an entry fee (eg. £20 per head) and throw a party as big or as small as you feel comfortable with. The Literary Laughs team will send the literary quizzes for your party to enjoy and you can be part of the Literary Laughs Book Club Awards.  

Date: 5th December 2019 (or any date in December thereafter but not before).

Giving Tuesday

To celebrate Giving Tuesday, taking place this year on Tuesday 3^rd December we are asking all McCarthy and Stone homeowners and employees to don your favourite festive ‘beanie’ hat and donate £2 (or more if you’re feeling really festive!). It’s simple; wear, donate and tweet a photo to share the love and giving spirit! As the winter cold begins to creep in, it’s the perfect time to dig out your woollies and to start getting in the festive spirit! 

Want to organise your own event?

We can support you to plan your own events, such as sponsored readathons, cake sales or running literary-themed quiz nights. These can be open to employees, home-owners, friends and family.  

Fundraising toolkit

Event poster

Fundraising poster 

Gift aid form

Sponsorship form

Donation form

Offline fundraising form

Volunteer with us!

Beanstalk can offer a range of volunteering opportunities for different time commitments and interests. An overview of these opportunities is provided below.

For further detail, please download the Volunteering FAQs.

All those interested in volunteering should fill in this expression of interest form to let us know their location and what opportunity they are interested in. 

Please note:  the partnership will only launch volunteer opportunities in selected locations where we receive the greatest interest from employees and homeowners. This is because Beanstalk is only able to deliver training to groups of volunteers at a time. It will also ensure that the charity can resource and facilitate sourcing and supporting school placements for those volunteers. We will do our best to support those who want to volunteer to do so but it might not be possible for us to facilitate this for everyone. 

Regular volunteering

Reading 321 (Primary School) and Story Starters (Early Years)

What is it? Each volunteer is provided with one day’s training, placed in an education setting and supports three children for 30 or 20 minute one-to-one sessions twice a week for a full academic year. You can volunteer to support children in primary school or in early years settings. Each volunteer commits to 3 hours a week excluding travel time to and from the school.
Who’s it for? McCarthy and Stone homeowners who are keen to get involved in their school community and support children with their reading levels and confidence.
What is the time commitment? A one-day training course followed by 3 hours a week during term time for at least one full academic year.

One day volunteering - Story Readers day

What is it? A one-day volunteering experience. In the morning you will engage in a fun and informative workshop with Beanstalk, helping you learn how to get the best out of books and shared reading with children. In the afternoon you’ll put your new-found skills to the test, travelling to a nearby school and reading with a class of children.
Who’s it for? This is ideal for a group of employees or homeowners who are not able to commit regular time to volunteering but want to learn more about Beanstalk as well as gain evidenced-based tips in shared reading to use with your own children or grandchildren!
What is the time commitment? One day (9:30am – 3pm)
How many people can take part? 7 – 15 people

Is there regular volunteering available for McCarthy and Stone employees? 

We know those who work full-time may not be able to commit as much as three hours a week. This means employees can volunteer for a minimum of 30 minutes a week to support one child for the full academic year. Alternatively, employees can take part in a one-day volunteering opportunity called Story Readers (see above).

If you want more information then please do not hesitate to contact us on [email protected] or fill in an expression of interest form for both fundraising and volunteering.