Reading volunteer

Each year, eight children in an average class will leave primary school unable to read well. These children will often struggle in school, and beyond. We want to help change this.

As a Bookmark volunteer, you could do something incredible and change a child’s story. You’ll help a 5–9-year-old learn to read, developing their skills and confidence. You will read together, play games, and see your reader progress, either through our secure online platform or in person at a local school. Please find a list of our face-to-face locations here: www.bookmarkreading.org/f2f-schools-list

We are currently seeing unprecedented demand from schools, with hundreds of children across the UK waiting for one of our volunteers to help them learn to read. We urgently need volunteers to help more children discover the joy of reading.

Our programme involves 30-minute sessions with the same child, twice a week, for six weeks. You book your programme through the Bookmark app and select sessions at times that work with your schedule.

“It was such a wonderful experience... The child really improved a lot during the 6 weeks. It was really rewarding for me to see the improvement.” — Joe, Bookmark Reading Volunteer

Why volunteer with Bookmark?

As a Bookmark volunteer, you will help children who struggle with their reading gain essential skills. This will enable them to progress at school, ready to tackle new challenges without falling further behind. Three quarters of our volunteers noticed their reader become more confident with their reading.

Make learning to read fun! You can bring your own personality into the sessions and get to know your reader’s interests. It’s amazing when you introduce a young reader to a book, comic or poem that they love. 92% of teachers said that pupils enjoy reading more after our programme.

Give a child one-to-one attention and be a role model. Teachers have told us that children really benefit from this dedicated time and found it boosted their self-esteem and confidence as well as their reading.

Is volunteering with Bookmark right for me?

Our volunteers are all ages and from all walks of life. At Bookmark we aim to make volunteering accessible to as many people as possible, so we can help more children.

Are you over 18 and currently living in the UK?

Are you passionate about literacy and its importance?

Are you able to show enthusiasm, encouragement, empathy and patience?

Can you commit to two 30-minute sessions a week, for six consecutive weeks?

Are you willing to complete at least three, six-week programmes a year?

If you’d like to volunteer online

Do you have access to a PC, laptop or Chromebook with a webcam and internet connection (iPads, phones and tablets are not compatible), and do you feel relatively comfortable using technology? If no, then you can still apply to be to volunteer on our face-to-face programmes in future.

If you’d like to volunteer in person

Please see here for our available face-to-face programmes: www.bookmarkreading.org/f2f-schools-list

If you have any further questions, we would be happy to help you. Please contact the Bookmark team using the contact information on our website.

"I really enjoy volunteering with Bookmark. For those 30 minutes with a child, you feel you're making a positive impact and helping them in some small way on their important journey of education, self-esteem and confidence." Claire, Bookmark Reading Volunteer

Job Type: Volunteer

Benefits:

• Flexitime
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Flexitime

Work Location: Remote