Reading Helper
Volunteer Reading Help
The Opportunity
Are you interested in child development?
Volunteers go into school twice a week for an hour and a half each time- so need to be able to give at least three hours a week and give a commitment to stay with us for one year - School Term Time only. We supply books and games and ongoing support and training
Volunteers are required to:
> Read
>Talk and play games with children
> Aim to build up each child's confidence.
The work of VRH benefits our team of volunteer helpers too. Some of our reading helpers have been out of work for long periods of time and lack the confidence to seek paid employment. Many find their experience of volunteering helps them to develop their skills and confidence. Many go on to find employment, for example, as classroom assistants. Some are looking to put something back into society following retirement. Our reading helpers are all ages and come from a variety of backgrounds but what links them all together is a profound sense of enjoyment in what they do.
The Organisation
Volunteer Reading Help (VRH) is a national charity that helps disadvantaged children develop a love of reading and learning.
What we do is simple: we recruit and train reading helpers to work with children aged 6-11 who find reading a challenge and may need extra support and mentoring. Without individual support children can fall behind their peers and lack confidence and self esteem. Many may find it difficult to interact socially with adults. In later years they may drift into offending behaviour. Our trained network of reading helpers support the same children week in, week out, giving each an hour of quality, one to one time. They read, they play, they talk. With the support of VRH their approach to learning and enjoying is often transformed. Their confidence, self esteem and reading standards improve.
Our work takes place in schools but outside the classroom. We also work with looked after children, often the most vulnerable children in society.
Skills / Qualifications
>Ability to listen
>Literate and able to read
>Ability to relate to children in a non-judgmental way
>Approachable to all levels
>Patience
Getting There
Volunteering takes place in schools all over London. We try to place volunteers in schools that are local to their home or their workplace.
Times you can volunteer
Monday: Mornings and Afternoons
Tuesday: Mornings and Afternoons
Wednesday: Mornings and Afternoons
Thursday: Mornings and Afternoons
Friday: Mornings and Afternoons
Saturday: None
Sunday: None
