ABC assisting Berkshire children to read

Who we help...

Even in a prosperous area like Berkshire there are many children who have trouble reading.

• Some have lost confidence because they've fallen behind.
• Some are shy and don't communicate well.
• Some have missed out on the development of vital skills in early childhood.
• Some have difficulty concentrating.
• Some don't speak English at home.
• Some just need a boost to help them catch up.

The children are chosen by their teachers as the ones most in need of help.

How we help... At ABC to read we find, train and support volunteers in primary schools across Berkshire, we help hundreds of children a year. The children have two individual half-hour sessions each week during term-time with their ABC to read volunteer. The sessions are at school during school hours. The main idea is to make the children feel happy and successful, so they start to think of reading as something they can enjoy. With this in mind, ABC to read volunteers do a variety of things with the children, in addition to reading. They may play word, board or memory games, make and draw things, help the children write their own stories, or just talk.

 

What we ask ABC to read volunteers to do...

Help in a primary school for two hours, two days a week during term-time.

Attend four training sessions, each lasting a morning or afternoon and make a commitment of at least a year.

ABC to read volunteers come from all sorts of backgrounds. All they need is to:

Like children

Enjoy reading

Be patient and adaptable

Be over 18

How we help volunteers..

The training sessions give a good idea of how to work with the children.

We provide books and games, and the opportunity to exchange them regularly.

We pay travelling expenses between home and school.

We introduce volunteers into their school, are on the end of a phone to iron out any problems, and provide support in the form of school visits.

For more information email volunteer@reading.ac.uk