#EastLond­onInnovat­ors with Anthony Mensah

Literacy Pirates is an innovative education charity supporting young people aged 9 -13 to develop the literacy, confidence and perseverance that will help them achieve both in school and the world beyond. In their unconventional learning spaces (pirate ship themed buildings in Hackney and Tottenham) young people work on reading and creative writing projects with one-to-one support from volunteers. The Young Pirates then collaborate with professionals to publish their writing in the form of storybooks, studio recordings and films. On average the Young Pirates improve their reading age 52% faster than age related expectations.

Innovation comes from looking at life through the lens of the heart. When you’re guided by love and passion, what others see as barriers or failures simply become building blocks and steps on the path to success.

Anthony Mensah, Session Leader & Volunteer Manager at Literacy Pirates