ONE of the most tragic consequences of the covid pandemic were the millions of schoolchildren around the country who missed out on their education.
Those pupils who already struggled with reading fell even further behind. With libraries closed and, in some places, books not regarded as essential items, the written word was for many youngsters, reduced to WhatsApp messages or Instagram.
One group of Wokingham volunteers who helped get schoolchildren back on the right page was ABC to Read.
The charity helps to transform the lives of children who are struggling to read at primary schools across Berkshire.
Volunteer reading mentors work one-to-one with these children, to build their confidence and reading skills.
A team of 30 volunteers from Wokingham support around 90 children from the borough in 18 Wokingham schools, who struggle to read.
They visit children twice a week in schools so that they are able to find the pleasure in reading. ABC to Read specifically assist children not entitled to individual help through statutory funding, with a focus on children from disadvantaged backgrounds and schools in deprived areas.
Marcia Rowlinson, CEO of the charity who nominated the Wokingham volunteers as Community Project of the Year in the Wokingham Community Awards, explained: “I am very lucky to be working with wonderful people who dedicate their time to make a difference to the lives of children in Wokingham.
“Most are retired or mums who stay at home, but all the volunteers are dedicated to helping children discover the joy of reading. Sadly, many parents don’t take their children to the library or read to them at bedtime.
“Without our volunteers, these children would never know the pleasure of reading which is something that, hopefully, will remain with them as adults.”
The volunteers mentor for half an hour, twice a week with each pupil during the academic term. During this time the children and their mentor engage in a range of literacy-based activities- sharing books, playing educational games and enjoying conversation. This builds the literary skills of the pupils and contributes to their confidence and self-esteem.
All volunteers go through a stringent recruitment process, including DBS checks and safeguarding, to ensure high quality assistance is provided to the children.
