Call for volunteers to bring the magic of reading to Brixton primary school children

This World Book Day (Thursday 7 March) national reading charity, Coram Beanstalk, is issuing a new appeal for volunteers to join its network of trained volunteers who help children become more confident readers.

Volunteers in Brixton have been helping primary school children become more confident readers through sharing their love of books.  They are part of a reading support programme delivered by Coram Beanstalk, a national literacy charity which recruits, trains and supports volunteers to work in local primary schools with children who have either fallen behind with their reading, lack confidence, or struggle with their fluency, comprehension or vocabulary.

The charity is urging more volunteers to come forward as low levels of literacy continue to be a persistent problem both nationally and locally.

Managing director Ginny Lunn says World Book Day is excellent at connecting children and books but it’s important that year-long interventions like Coram Beanstalk’s programmes provide consistent and regular support encourage a love of reading to last a lifetime.

Local resident Kate has been a Beanstalk reading helper at a primary school in Brixton for over four years. She spends 30 minutes one-to-one with three children twice a week at a local primary school, reading books together and playing word games to develop their confidence and inspire a love of reading. She explains why he got involved and the importance of inspiring a new generation of readers:

“I have been a reading helper at Loughborough School for over four years.  I really do love everything about my role in the school: one to one reading with children, supporting class teachers, helping to plan reading events for the whole school, being part of childrens’ learning in this wonderful school. The children love to read with an interested adult and are rightly proud of the enormous progress they make. I couldn’t recommend this role highly enough. Coram Beanstalk also provides great support for their reading helpers: training, visits, advice, local book swaps and opportunities to meet up with other volunteers.”

Coram Beanstalk needs more members of the local community to volunteer as reading helpers in Brixton and other parts of London.

If you are interested in becoming a reading helper in a local school visit the website  or call 020 7729 4087.