Charity appeals for volunteers to help improve children's reading

The national charity recruits, trains and support volunteers to work in primary schools with children who have fallen behind with their reading.

Beanstalk is part of the Read On.Get On. campaign which aims to get all children reading to the required level by age of 11, by 2025.

In the last school year, more than 2,500 children left primary school in the North East of England unable to read to the required level.

The charity says: “Not all the children of this area are lucky enough to have been introduced to wonderful books at an early age. Not every child gets a bedtime story, or has the opportunity to take that step into another world of fabulous characters or unforgettable adventures. Sadly, for many thousands of children who struggle with reading, that door remains firmly closed – and success in life can be severely restricted.”

Each Beanstalk reading helper supports three children and sees each child for two 30-minute sessions a week, during term-time, for three terms.

With Beanstalk’s support the child’s approach to learning and enjoying reading is transformed.

Volunteering as a Beanstalk reading helper can make a lasting difference to children’s lives.

To find out more, or to become a Beanstalk reading helper, call Beanstalk on 01325 315040 or visit http://www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/reading-helpers

The charity will be at Castle Dene Shopping Centre - Peterlee (pop up stall indoor area) tomorrow and Friday, between 10am and-4pm.

Pop in for a chat about volunteering.