PEOPLE who have been giving up their time to help borough children improve their reading skills, have been sharing what volunteering means to them.
Berkshire reading charity ABC to Read works with volunteers across all ages, and has been recognised for investing in its volunteers.
The charity works with primary school children across the county who have been identified by their school as struggling with their reading.
They are provided with a volunteer mentor on a one to one basis, who gives focused attention to the children who are struggling the most.
Alison Hammond, 83, said: “I find my volunteering very satisfying and the children seem to really enjoy their sessions with me.
“The class teachers are very appreciative of what I do and it is wonderful to see the children’s reading improve.”
When asked about the best part about volunteering with ABC to Read, Arthur House, 20, commented: “It gives me an external commitment to my studies that helps break up an otherwise purely academic week.
“The time you invest in the school is genuinely rewarding.”
Full-time working mum, Jo, added: “I needed something that could feasibly fit in with my full time work as a management consultant and not demand chunks of time over weekends, which is the only solid chunk of time I have to be a wife and a mum.
“ABC to Read were demonstrating their resilience in the lockdown restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was hugely compelling to see they were serving schools under very trying and changing times.”
Octogenarian, Mary, explained: “I am a retired librarian with a love of books.
“I don’t have children myself, but I have always got on well with those of my family and friends.
“I am over 80 years old but still like an active life.
“As a child I loved to read, so I wanted to encourage children to love reading too.”
Soon-to-be University of Reading graduate, Leorah Stewart, supports the charity with marketing and grants.
She said: “It felt like a very important and personal cause as I deeply understand the ways socio-economic status influences education; from feeling disenfranchised, to not having access to the same opportunities or resources.
“Since working as an intern for the charity, I have come on board as a trustee to continue supporting the crucial work done by ABC to read.
“Reading is such a vital skill and I think everyone should have the opportunity to experience the comfort, thrill and goosebumps a good book can give you.”
Marcia Rowlinson, ABC to Read CEO, said: “We are incredibly blessed to have volunteers from all generations and walks of life.
“The variety, experience and enthusiasm that they bring to the role has a direct influence on the improvement we see in the children we work with.
“We couldn’t deliver our vision without them and are continuously thankful.”
On average, 500 children are encouraged and mentored by an ABC to Read volunteer every year, with 12,000 hours invested into improving not only their reading ability but their enjoyment of the pastime as well as their general attitudes and confidence.
With many vacancies that could be filled with more volunteers, and increasing numbers of children who need support, ABC to Read is actively looking for new volunteers to take part in training.
Schools that are in need of additional reading support are also being actively encouraged to sign up for ABC to Read mentors.
For information about training days or joining the scheme, email: info@abctoread.org.uk
