We are a small, independent charity established 26 years ago in Nottinghamshire.
We work with schools and in Early Years, with a large Volunteer base who help children overcome literacy challenges and develop a love of reading, and by supporting families with young children to engage in early literacy and storytelling.
Our trained and supported volunteers spend half a day a week in primary schools, helping children 1-1 outside the classroom for up to 30 minutes and for a minimum of a term. During their sessions they build a positive, supportive relationship by chatting, reading and playing games. Not only does the child's literacy improve but they grow in confidence and this has a positive impact so that they start to achieve their potential.
Our Early Years team run sessions in Small Steps Big Changes areas of Nottingham City in 2 libraries for under fives and their family. In the session a story is shared along with craft activities and songs linking to the book and the parent/carers are supported to interact and help their children. The outcome of such sessions help to develop children's language, vocabulary, understanding as well as skills to help them when they go to school for example sitting listening, being focused as well as social skills.
Safer recruitment of volunteers aged 18 and over - this involves recruitment, sending enquiries an application pack, informal interview via zoom, training including safeguarding and prevent training, full vetting including Enhanced DBS check, references and medical risk assessment if required.
New volunteers then attend a meeting in school supported by an Area Coordinator with a member of the school team - at this meeting everything is set up ready for the volunteer to start.
Volunteers attend school on a set regular half day each week during the school year. They help children 1-1 outside the classroom for up to half an hour each child and the same set of children for at least a term.
Their sessions involve talking, reading and playing mainly literacy based games. Each session is based on Fun, Praise and Choice. They share their love of reading and aim to bring the joy of reading for pleasure to each child as well as support the children to believe in themselves, helping to improve their confidence and self esteem.
Volunteers are supported by an Area Coordinator (paid staff) this is done via telephone, email, observational visits and local network meetings.
Early Years - this is run by 2 staff members and sometimes with volunteers, the aim of the sessions is to engage under fives and their parent/carers, share the love of reading and share hints and tips to expand vocabulary, engagement using craft activities and songs.
