CHILDREN’S literacy charity Bookmark is calling for reading volunteers from Bradford to help children with their literacy and reading skills twice a week for 30 minutes each time.

There are more than 400 children aged five to nine living in England on the waiting list for a reading volunteer and many are at risk of falling behind if they don’t receive this vital support.

Now more than ever, the organisation says it needs volunteers who can give children one-to-one reading support, or the risk of childhood illiteracy could widen.

Many of the pupils it supports speak English as a second language and almost half are recognised as disadvantaged.

Graihagh Crawshaw-Sadler, CEO of Bookmark, said: “We know that poor literacy is devastating for children and can affect their mental wellbeing which can extend into adulthood.

“Being able to read well helps someone to manage everyday life. Being able to navigate words is vital, and it starts in childhood.

“We’re seeing unprecedented demand for our service, and we really need more volunteers to read with a child, for 30 minutes, just twice a week.”

To help children read in your area, sign up to volunteer just one hour of your time a week, at Bookmarkreading.org/volunteer today.

 

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