Six benefits of becoming a student volunteer with Bookmark

Why literacy skills matter beyond school

Too many young people leave school without the literacy skills real life demands.

For many, the challenges with literacy begin early. Limited access to books, fewer reading experiences at home and longstanding inequalities, mean that some children start secondary school already behind.

As they enter their teenage years, this gap often widens rather than closes. 

In fact, by 15-years-old, the divide is stark: one in five 15-year-olds have a reading age of 11 or below.

Leaving secondary school with low literacy can damage confidence and limit opportunities after school, such as access to college courses, apprenticeships and jobs.

This is where our Reading Mentor programme comes in. Not only does it give teenagers the chance to build skills for their own future, but it also means they can inspire the next generation to grow and find joy in reading.

Our Reading Mentor Programme

Through their school, college or sixth form, students ages 14 – 18 have the opportunity to support primary school children with their reading – sessions can take place either online or in-person at a local school. 

Not only can students help with improving children’s reading, but they are also positive role models. Nurturing an enjoyment of reading means that children read more, gain confidence as readers and, ultimately, improve their reading skills. 

What’s involved? 

Students will commit to one 30-minute session a week reading stories and playing literacy-based games with a child aged between 5 – 11.

6 benefits to becoming a Reading Mentor:

By becoming Reading Mentors, students don’t just help a younger child read – they gain communication, resilience, leadership and confidence: the same skills that employers value and that strong literacy supports.

1. Develops essential soft skills

Students practice communication, empathy, active listening and patience – qualities needed in every future learning or work environment.

2. Builds leadership and real responsibility

Showing up consistently and guiding a younger child builds confidence and leadership in a meaningful, real‑world way.

3. Strengthens CVs and personal statements

Volunteering helps students stand out on UCAS and job applications. Hours count towards DofE and IB CAS requirements.

4. Demonstrates time‑management and reliability

Balancing weekly volunteering with school commitments builds skills that employers look for.

5. Boosts wellbeing and self-esteem

Seeing the impact of their support can be transformative for mentors – increasing confidence and a sense of purpose.

6. Makes a lasting difference in the community

Reading Mentors help towards closing the literacy gap, inspiring children to love reading, and creating a ripple effect of confidence and curiosity.

Hear from our Reading Mentor partner school: 

Kat’s Reading Mentor experience

Meet Kat, a Reading Mentor from Haileybury School. Kat started volunteering with Bookmark to share her love of books with children – and it’s been a truly rewarding journey.

Want to find out more? 

If you’re a school, college or sixth form, drop us an email at readingmentors@​bookmarkreading.​org to find out more and to arrange a meeting. 

If you’re a parent, a student, or if you have other connections with a school, college or sixth form that might be interested, then do drop us an email at readingmentors@​bookmarkreading.​org and we can discuss further.