We simply could not continue working towards our mission of creating readers without the support of our volunteers. Since 1973 we’ve been fortunate to engage with thousands of people who have generously donated their time, adding up to over 12 million hours of one-to-one reading.
We train and support community volunteers, young people and caregivers to give children something powerful: Time, connection and joy. A shared love of books and the opportunity to dream!
Every week, our volunteers sit with the same children, building relationships that go far beyond the pages of a book. They follow the child’s pace, share laughter, listen deeply, and create a space where children choose reading and build essential skills for a brighter future.
Our community volunteers are often, but not always, early retirees – active, interested, and ready to give back. They find purpose and community in helping children grow in confidence and ability. And they’re never doing it alone – with expert training, ongoing support, and a strong community behind them, they feel equipped and valued from day one.
If you can’t commit to the weekly, longer term, commitment our reading helper role needs, you may know someone who can, or can support us in other ways to help our work. If you are still in secondary school, take a look at our Reading Leaders programme and show your teacher!
