Register to volunteer
Join our volunteer-led reading programme and help children develop the confidence and skills they need to thrive.
Become a reading volunteer and change a child’s life
As a literacy volunteer, you’ll give one-to-one reading support for primary school children who need it most.
Our flexible volunteering opportunities make it easy to support a child’s literacy wherever you are.
What’s involved in the application process?
We’ve designed the process to be as easy and straightforward for you as possible. Just complete the registration form with the details listed below.
You can save and return to your application anytime. If you get stuck, just email us.
Fill in your name and contact details
Choose one of the following:
- Bookmark volunteer
- Corporate volunteer
- Reading Mentor (for 14–18-year-olds)
As part of our safeguarding requirements of working with children, please provide:
- A five-year history of education, work, or volunteering (flexible if not applicable)
- Two references to support your application
If you’re no longer in work or may struggle to provide references, please read our guidance or email applications@bookmarkreading.org for help.
For the best experience, please use Google Chrome and make sure you’re not logged in to Citrix.
After review, apply for a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check
- Bookmark covers the cost
- Support is available if needed
- If you've lived abroad, you may also need an overseas check
Take part in a short online interview with a Bookmark team member - this will help us understand your motivations and ensures you're prepared for the role.
Before you begin delivering reading programme sessions, you’ll complete online training that prepares you to confidently support children, whether in person or through virtual reading volunteer opportunities.
Become a Reading Volunteer
Just one hour a week can help a child gain confidence, improve literacy, and fall in love with reading.
Any questions?
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Yes! We also offer face-to-face volunteering opportunities at local primary schools. Volunteers typically support a minimum of two children per week, depending on availability.
A full list of schools with in-person availability is updated throughout the year and can be found in the 'f2f schools list'.
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The main way volunteers connect with each other is through our online community platform, the Reading Room. Created specifically for volunteers, it’s a space to meet others, ask questions, share experiences, and stay up to date with the latest Bookmark news.
You can also join community catch-ups, which are online events run by volunteers in your area. These sessions are a great opportunity to meet volunteers near you.
Our Volunteers Team also run regular drop-in sessions for volunteers listed on our Events page.
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As a Bookmark volunteer, you can find a schedule that works for you. You’ll start by choosing the days and times that suit you best for delivering your reading sessions. Your programme sessions will take place on the same days and times every week, providing consistency for both you and your reader.
Once you’ve set your availability, our Volunteer Hub will show you the primary schools and children who need support during those times, so you can choose the programme that feels right for you.
Our platform ensures that every match is:
- Local or online, depending on the type of programme you choose
- Consistent, so you support the same child throughout their six‑week journey.
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We work with a third party to complete DBS checks. These can take up to six weeks, however, it is normally within two weeks.
Becoming a Bookmark reading volunteer is a meaningful commitment. Given the investment required to onboard each volunteer (£300+), we ask that you apply only when you’re ready to meet the programme requirements and dedicate the necessary time.
Please note we do not accept volunteers with any spent convictions.
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