A reading charity is calling for volunteers to be trained as reading helpers in Liverpool City Region schools.
Coram Beanstalk, a national reading charity celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and is keen to recruit volunteers to support primary schools across Liverpool. The charity works in 38 schools across Merseyside, with more than 40 reading helper volunteers, including one who has been volunteering for more than 20 years.
There are eight schools at present in need of reading helpers and the charity is urgently looking to recruit more volunteers. Head of Coram Beanstalk, Amy Lewis said: “Our volunteers are the face and heart of Coram Beanstalk. We really value the time they give to the children we exist to help.
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"We love to hear of the fun they have in school and are delighted 98% of our volunteers would recommend us to a friend. If you're thinking of joining us, go for it."
They’re holding drop sessions, on Monday March 20 at Liverpool Central Library, William Brown Street, L3 8EW (11.30am-12.30pm) and The Liverpool Quaker Meeting House, School Lane, L1 3BT (3.30-4pm).
Susan Belgrave, Coram Beanstalk's president, saw a volunteering scheme in a school in Harlem, New York, and impressed by the results, decided to set up a similar scheme in England and formed in 1973. They were originally called Volunteer Reading Help before becoming Beanstalk in 2012. In 2019 they joined the Coram group of charities and became Coram Beanstalk.
From a handful of volunteers they’re now a network of reading helpers supporting about 10,000 children across England and helped over 200,000 children learn to read since forming.
Volunteers play a vital role in, not only boosting, children’s reading confidence and attainment but inspiring a love of reading. 94% of schools saw an improvement in general attitude to learning in the children receiving their support.
Liverpool volunteer Stephen Donoghue said: “At first, I saw four hesitant and unsure children. Now I see blossoming confidence, energy and wonderful smiles.
"It’s smashing being a Coram Beanstalk reading helper.”
One of the most rewarding aspects for volunteers is the rapport they develop with the children. This is important by helping children to, not only, improve their reading but to understand which books might spark their interest.
Caroline Smith from Middlefield Primary said: “They provide enthusiasm and support for children who are less confident in reading and give them the self-esteem to answer and ask questions in whole classroom situations. Children constantly ask ‘when is it my reading day’ and we have a queue of children ready and willing to take part”.
The recruitment process averages 30 days; application, training and a DBS check paid for by Beanstalk.
For information visit Coram Beanstalk HERE
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