Volunteers Needed to Listen to Children Read in Primary Schools

Schoolreaders is a national charity which helps to improve children’s literacy by providing volunteers to listen to children read in primary schools on a one-to-one basis. Schoolreaders mission is provide every child with the opportunity to learn to read well and in so doing, increase their future life-chances. Over the past decade, Schoolreaders volunteers have provided more than 2 million one-to-one reading sessions, to over 80,000 children.

The support Schoolreaders offers has never been more needed, as statistics reveal that 1 in 4 children leave primary school without reaching the expected reading standard, which means they cannot fully access their secondary education, which will limit their future opportunities. There is therefore an urgent need for more volunteers to make a difference.

Schoolreaders volunteers commit to spending a minimum of one hour per week for a year during term time listening to children read in primary school. The impact of this commitment is measurable: 81% of children supported by our volunteers showed improvement in their reading fluency, 91% displayed a boost in reading confidence, and 84% were found to take greater enjoyment in reading.

Our dedicated volunteers also serve as mentors and role models within the school community.

Juliet, a Headteacher at a Schoolreader partner school said; “Schoolreader volunteers offer the children quality time with reading… they are more than just a volunteer and have a unique role. They are someone the children have a relationship with, perhaps from a different generation. They are another adult, not their teacher, not their parent/carer, who children can enjoy the experience of reading with in a really positive way and can share thoughts and ideas.”

Peter, a volunteer and Schoolreaders Ambassador, shared his experience in school;

“I, like many other Schoolreaders volunteers, could share a great many heart-warming stories. From the boy who for over a year had really struggled, then one day was comprehending sentences and asking questions about the book, to the girl who not only reads the stories, but gives each character a different voice. I always return home from school with a spring in my step!”

To learn more about Schoolreaders and how you can get involved, visit www.schoolreaders.org

Apply now to become a volunteer and help to change a child’s life-story. Volunteers will be matched with a primary school in their area. No qualifications are necessary, just a good level of English. All volunteers will undertake a mandatory enhanced DBS check and safeguarding training.

Join us in spreading the joy of reading and building brighter futures for children. Together, we can make a lasting impact on children, families, and communities.

About Schoolreaders CIO (Charity Number: 1159157)

Schoolreaders supports children. We want every child to read well. Our network of dedicated volunteers provide free weekly one-to-one reading support for children in primary schools nationwide. With 1 in 4 children leaving primary school unable to read well, there has never been a more important time for our work.1 Leaving primary school with poor reading skills can hugely impact a child’s secondary education and life chances. Literacy opens doors, helps learning and brings new opportunities. We want to help give all children, especially those with the greatest need, the best start in life.

Schoolreaders supports schools. Schoolreaders finds, interviews and matches volunteers to partner schools locally. Our volunteers provide 1-1 reading time that some children require to help improve their literacy and provide additional support to the schools.Our volunteers’ support has been proven to help children’s reading fluency, comprehension, and enjoyment, providing a crucial supplement to classroom teaching.

Schoolreaders engages communities. We raise community awareness of low educational attainment and potential lifelong outcomes. We engage with local authorities and respected organisations to connect local volunteers with schools in their community. Schoolreaders provides an intergenerational activity for older people to use their knowledge and skills to help children with their reading. It provides an opportunity to become involved in the community and helps to support mental well-being and independence. 99% of our volunteers reported a positive impact on their personal wellbeing through volunteering with us.