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AS Schoolreaders celebrates its tenth year, we're on the lookout for volunteers who are passionate about nurturing a love for reading among children in Primary Schools across Southport.

Schoolreaders is a national charity which helps to improve children's literacy by providing volunteers to listen to children read in Primary Schools on a 1-to 1 basis. School Readers mission is to provide every child with the opportunity to learn to read well and in so doing, increase their future life-chances. Over the past decade, Schoolreaders volunteers have provided more than 2 million 1 to 1 reading sessions, to over 80,000 children.

The support School Readers offers has never been more needed, as statistics reveal that 1 in 4 children leave primary school without reaching the expected reading standard, which means they cannot fully access their secondary education, which will limit their future opportunities. There is therefore an urgent need for more volunteers to make a difference.

School Readers volunteers commit to spending a minimum of 1 hour per week, for a year, during term time listening to children read in Primary School. The impact of this commitment is measurable: 81% of children supported by our volunteers showed improvement in their reading fluency, 91% displayed a boost in reading confidence, and 84% were found to take greater enjoyment in reading.

Our dedicated volunteers also serve as mentors and role models within the school community.

Juliet, a Head Teacher at a School Reader Partner School said;- "School Reader volunteers offer the children quality time with reading… they are more than just a volunteer and have a unique role. They are someone the children have a relationship with, perhaps from a different generation. They are another adult, not their teacher, not their parent/carer, who children can enjoy the experience of reading in a positive way and can share thoughts and ideas."

Peter, a volunteer, and Schoolreaders Ambassador, shared his experience in school:- "I, like many other Schoolreaders volunteers, could share a great many heart-warming stories. From the boy who for over a year had really struggled, then 1 day was comprehending sentences and asking questions about the book, to the girl who not only reads the stories, but gives each character a different voice. I always return home from school with a spring in my step!"

To learn more about School Readers and how you can get involved, visit:- SchoolReaders.Org

Apply now to become a volunteer and help to change a child's life story. Volunteers will be matched with a Primary School in their area. No qualifications are necessary, just a good level of English. All volunteers will undertake a mandatory enhanced DBS check and safeguarding training.