Become a reading volunteer and change a child’s life story

Help a child learn to read so that they can succeed, in school and beyond. At Bookmark Reading Charity, we're dedicated to igniting the joy of reading in children. We offer both online and in-person literacy volunteer opportunities near you.

Bookmark’s Online Volunteer Reading Programme

Ignite the joy of reading in a child

You'll spend two thirty-minute sessions a week reading stories and playing games with a child aged between 5 and 10 years old, on our secure online platform. The programme involves two 30-minute sessions a week with the same child, for six weeks.

The best part? Our online volunteering can fit around your schedule seamlessly and there's no need to travel.

We ask all our volunteers to complete at least three programmes a year - and we'd love you to do more - so we can continue to support as many children as possible.

Help them shape a better future

You'll get to see your young reader progress, knowing that you are opening a world of opportunity for their future.

Reading schemes for schools

Joining Bookmark to volunteer reading in schools enables you to become a vital force for change in primary school children. Our volunteer-led reading programmes in schools are at the heart of our mission to foster essential literacy skills and motivate young minds to enjoy reading. Join us today and play a crucial role in shaping a brighter future for a child through literacy.

How does our online volunteering work?

Once you’ve applied, we will provide you with training and support you through our Safer Recruitment process.

You simply select the programme timing which works the best for you, and conveniently book it through our online Literacy Volunteer Hub.

You’ll then log on to each session through your PC, laptop, MacBook or Chromebook, requiring both a webcam and an internet connection. Please note that iPads, tablets and phones are not currently compatible. (Don’t worry, you definitely don’t need to be a tech whizz to volunteer, you just need to be comfortable using our online reading platform.)

You can volunteer in person

We do also offer face-to-face opportunities where you can read with a child at a primary school that’s local to you, depending on availability. We’re looking for people who could support a minimum of two children a week, across 12 weeks. 

If you’re interested in volunteering on a face-to-face reading programme, you can find a full list of areas with school availability here.  This list will be updated throughout the year as new schools join Bookmark. 

Want to find out more?

Come along to an open session. We’ll talk through the benefits, process of joining, and provide more detail on the reading programme. The session will be delivered on Microsoft Teams.

It was such a wonderful experience. I was very happy knowing that I was helping someone. The child really improved a lot during the 6 weeks. It was really rewarding for me to see the improvement.
— Jo, Bookmark volunteer

Why Volunteer in Primary Schools with Bookmark?

As a Bookmark volunteer supporting local primary schools you’ll:

  • Help children gain the reading skills they need to progress at school and in life. You can read more about this in our Impact Report.

  • Help boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence by giving them one-to-one attention and being a role model.

  • Show learning to read can be fun! It’s amazing when you introduce a young reader to a book, comic or poem that they love – and 9 in 10 teachers said that children enjoy reading more after our programme.

  • Join our community. Volunteers can share tips and stories on our online forum and meet like-minded people at Bookmark’s online events, including our book club.

  • Enrich your week. Taking time out of your day to read with a child can support your own well-being as you enjoy a new experience. You can read some of our volunteer experiences on our blog.

92% OF BOOKMARK VOLUNTEERS FEEL THAT THEY’VE POSITIVELY IMPACTED A CHILD

Even if one child is influenced to think “books are for me” or “I can do this” or “I do want to go to university and study English” - what an incredible difference to have made just by virtue of spending two half-hours a week with them.
— Claire, Bookmark volunteer

SAFEGUARDING

Ensuring the safety of children and volunteers is at the very heart of what we do. You can find our Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment and other policies relating to volunteering here.