Entrepreneur Levi Roots, who has enjoyed huge success with his Reggae Reggae Sauce, met Lambeth school children on December 6 as he was unveiled as an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust charity.
Levi was joined for the announcement at The Elmgreen School in Tulse Hill by Lambeth Councillor Aminu Ademola as well as pupils from The Norwood School in Norwood and Lilian Baylis Technology School in Kennington.
The Brixton business man who first shot to fame in 2006 after success on the TV show Dragon’s Den will be supporting the National Literacy Trust’s new programme to improve young people’s communication skills.
15 year nine pupils were introduced to the National Literacy Trust’s Words for Work programme and listened to an inspirational presentation from Levi about the importance of speaking and listening.
Speaking passionately about his work in Lambeth, Levi said: “Communication skills are so important. I was terrible at school, but if I’d had that role model to help me learn to listen to others and be able to voice my opinions I would have been in a much better place.
"I want to give children in Lambeth those opportunities, to give something back to the community.”
Councillor Rachel Heywood, Lambeth Council Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, said: “Levi Roots’ business success is a huge inspiration to people in the borough so we are delighted that he has become an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust’s Words for Work programme.
“I'm sure his visit to The Elmgreen School will be the start of a very valuable new effort to help boost the future employment prospects of pupils at this school as well as other secondaries in Lambeth.”
The National Literacy Trust’s Words for Work programme provides an innovative way for schools and businesses to join forces and build young people’s skills for employability.
Volunteers from business are partnered with secondary schools within their community to develop students’ speaking and listening skills through a range of workshops.
Based on information supplied by Jane Woodley.
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