Reading charity targeting expansion of 150 volunteers

As it celebrates its 16th year of supporting children to read, an award-winning Oxfordshire charity seeks more volunteers to help children learn crucial reading skills needed to progress in life.

ARCh, Assisted Reading for Children, helps primary school children who struggle with reading to flourish and enjoy it, with help from more than 200 adult volunteer readers.

The charity says its success is due to its core group of volunteers, serving their community.

Jane Rendle, ARCh CEO, said: “We value all our volunteers very highly and strive to ensure that they gain as much from their ARCh experience as the children do! ARCh reading helpers come from all walks of life, all ages from 18 to 80 plus; many combine volunteering with paid employment. They are all so passionate and dedicated in their mission to get children enjoying reading.”

Volunteers are equally enthusiastic about working with ARCh.

At a recent Volunteer meeting, volunteers shared the following thoughts about their reading sessions and volunteering:

• “Every single session is rewarding- I know I’ve made a difference.”

• “It’s lovely to form friendships with another generation- it’s a two-way thing.”

• “My experience has been delightful. I’ve been so lucky to work with amazing, enthusiastic children.”

• “It’s great fun- I always leave the sessions with a smile on my face!”

Volunteers described feeling fulfilled and well-supported, more confident, and privileged to share reading in a positive way.

Satisfaction of mentoring youngsters, and working with other like-minded volunteers was also prized, along with a warm welcome from schools.

In the same review, partnering schools said that 98 per cent of children benefiting from ARCh's assistance showed increased confidence in reading, directly due to the support of their volunteers, and 96 per cent of schools report seeing improvement to children’s attitude to reading and enjoying books.

As the need for ARCh continues to grow, the charity’s aim this year is to recruit and train 150 new volunteers to continue to help children across Oxfordshire and to secure the legacy of lives changed for the future.

With many children now struggling with learning and anxiety following the disruption and isolation of the pandemic, as well as funding issues affecting the amount of support staff in schools, help from ARCh is needed now more than ever.

Lots of volunteer vacancies remain, and the organisation seeks new volunteers to take part in training and create more ‘happy half hours’.

Schools in need of additional reading support are also encouraged to sign up for ARCh reading mentors.

For more information about ARCh you can visit their website archoxfordshire.org.uk/ or contact [email protected] to find out how to join as a volunteer.