Introducing the Reading Mentors programme for 16-17 year olds

Our Reading Mentors programme offers 16-17 year olds the opportunity to deliver one-to-one sessions to primary school children to support them with their reading, either in person or online.

With Student Volunteering Week just round the corner, we’re looking for sixth form and college students to help ignite the joy of reading for 5-10 year olds.

With more than one in four children leaving primary school unable to read well, it’s disadvantaged children who are being disproportionately affected. We partner with primary schools that benefit from the additional support our volunteers can make to these children.

Bookmark’s Head of Schools, Bea Stafford-Smith said:

“The Reading Mentors programme provides a brand new volunteering role for 16 and 17 year-olds at Bookmark Reading Charity.  

Through their sixth form or college, they’ll be able to apply to become a volunteer, accessing training and developing skills to volunteer with children at our partner schools. Reading Mentors will be making a direct impact on children’s confidence, literacy skills and wellbeing, while also developing skills that they can demonstrate on personal statements for university, job applications and other programmes that encourage volunteering experience such as the Duke of Edinburgh.” 

Student volunteering has been found to improve student wellbeing, improve employability and contribute positively to the wider and local community life. Our volunteer training and support provided will enhance Reading Mentors’ skills and equip them for study, work and future volunteering.

“Bookmark helps to connect young people in different stages of their development and allows them to help each other. Their pupils learn crucial literacy skills, and our pupils develop their ability to empathise, educate, and inspire. It has been a formative experience for everyone involved, and I hope we can continue to grow these relationships and put our wonderful pupils to good use in the community.” - Solly Hardwick, Westminster School

In our recent Impact Report, we found that 95% of teachers saw an increase in children’s reading confidence following their one-to-one sessions. We hope that the Reading Mentors programme will contribute to our ambitious goal of delivering 50,000 sessions with children in 2024.