Reading Helper
Description
Reading Helper's are adult volunteers living or working within a 5 mile radius of a school that has asked for our help. You need to commit to at least an afternoon a week for a whole year during term-time, and as we invest in your training we'd appreciate it if you could stay longer.The role isn't about listening to children read, but creating a relaxed session that allows children to work alongside you to discover the joy of books.
The impact you'll have
Your consistent one-to-one support brings a range of benefits to children that impacts their whole school experience and engagement. Working under the umbrella of shared, positive, reading experiences, our reading helpers get to know children as individuals and champion them to believe in themselves. This commitment to the child and exploration of a range of books helps children to become more confident in themselves, allowing them to engage more fully in school life.
The skills you'll need
You will need to have the following skills in order to participate:
Are you able to: Be open to learning and delivering our approach to help children become readers? Give your ongoing commitment and dedication to the charity and the children we support for at least a year? Travel to one of our partner primary schools for a few hours each week during their afternoon sessions? Use a PC/laptop/tablet to access our interactive, live training sessions via Zoom? Use email* to receive and respond to communications from us?
When
Schedule
Flexible times
Commitment
Ongoing
You will need
Minimum age: 16
Coram Beanstalk
Families, children and young people
Coram Beanstalk, a children's reading charity since 1973, empowers children to love reading and build essential skills through consistent, one-to-one support from trained community volunteers, providing vital connection, joy, and confidence, especially for those falling behind, with a strong network of ongoing support for our helpers. We train volunteers to build relationships with children in schools, creating a positive, personalised reading experience that boosts attainment and future life chances, aiming for children to become readers for life.