Chapter One Impact Report 2023-24 - Flipbook - Page 10
ONLINE READING VOLUNTEERS PROGRAMME
CHAPTER ONE’S ONLINE READING
VOLUNTEERS PROGRAMME
OFFERS A FLEXIBLE, TIMEEFFICIENT ONLINE VOLUNTEERING
OPPORTUNITY FOR BUSY
PROFESSIONALS WHO WANT TO
MAKE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE
LIVES OF CHILDREN FACING
DISADVANTAGE.
Research shows that children need
regular reading practice with multiple
trusted adults to become confident
readers*. These 'reading influencers'
help foster a love of reading that
enhances children's wellbeing and life
chances.
Yet nearly a third of children under
seven don't regularly share stories with
different people at home, missing out on
vital reading practice and positive
reading role models.
Chapter One's Online Reading
Volunteers Programme tackles this
challenge by partnering with businesses
whose employees volunteer as reading
mentors. We match these volunteers
with pupils in disadvantaged areas,
where teachers select up to 10 children
per class who need additional support.
This innovative online model enables us
to achieve a reach and scale that
traditional parent or community
volunteer programmes rarely achieve.
After completing safeguarding checks
and training, volunteers are paired with
individual pupils. Using our bespoke
online platform, they meet for 30
minutes each week throughout the
school year to read stories and play
literacy games together.
For many children, this dedicated one-toone time with a caring adult is
transformative, boosting both their
reading skills and confidence.
*BookTrust (2022), The role of multiple 8reading
influencers9 in supporting children9s reading journeys
2023-24 Impact Report: The How
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