These are the memories every child deserves but unfortunately one in three homes in the UK does not even have a book in, meaning that many children lose out on the love and passion for reading and books.

Beanstalk is a charity that operates across Northamptonshire and aims to develop the love and enjoyment of books in children who are behind or struggling with their reading.

Beanstalk has been working with schools for almost 40 years to help raise literacy standards.

Why are we needed?

• Almost one in eight children leaves primary school behind in their reading in England.  • Research has shown that literacy leads to low employment prospects, disengagement and is closely linked with poverty, educational under-achievement, crime and long term unemployment.

• Around 1,300 children left primary school in Northamptonshire last year behind where they should be for their age.

Beanstalk helps by providing sustained oneto-one reading support to children who are falling behind the expected reading level for their age. Through sharing dedicated reading time with a trusted adult on a weekly basis, a child can build their confidence around literacy. In Northamptonshire, we are currently supporting over 80 primary schools and nearly 400 children across the county but we currently have more schools and children waiting for reading helpers than we do have volunteers.

What does the Beanstalk reading helper do?

As a reading helper you will work with three children and spend 30 minutes with each child twice a week, you will chat, read and play games. You will have the chance to build up a great rapport with the children and tailor the sessions to their individual needs. If you feel you could not commit to two sessions a week you could also look at sharing the reading opportunities. The timings of when you go into the school are flexible but it would need to be the same time each week, this will be agreed jointly between you and the school.  We provide training to our reading helpers before they start and ensure they have resources for their sessions which are suited to the children they are helping by providing them with Beanstalk book boxes.

How can you help?

At Beanstalk we look for people with a passion for reading who can give their time to help inspire the next generation of readers.

What to do now if you may be able to help?

Contact the Northampton office

on 01604 720969 or email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or

apply online straight away

www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/reading-helpers/

how-to-apply

Read • Grow • Succeed