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Celebrate the joy of reading

We’re celebrating World Book Day by spreading the joy of reading and honouring the transformative power of books and storytelling to inspire, connect and empower.

Volunteer with Bookmark
Child reading a book. She has tied up black hair and is sitting at a desk reading. Boy with blonde hair and green school uniform reading a book

It’s World Book Day!

A global celebration dedicated to the power of stories, imagination and the joy of books. Whether you’re a lifelong bookworm or just discovering the beauty of reading today is a chance to celebrate the authors and storytellers who bring new worlds to life.

Three children are sat on chairs in front of a wall with trees across them on a wallpaper. They are all in uniforms and are reading The Story Corner Magazine with them opened out across their laps.

We’re Bookmark Reading Charity

We believe every child deserves the chance to develop a love for reading. We’re a literacy charity on a mission to help children who are struggling with reading, reach their full potential. We aim to help children discover the joy of reading through initiatives like our One-to-one Reading Programme, Your Story Corner Programme and The Story Corner magazine. We deliver essential reading support and resources to the children who need us the most. 

Explore our programmes
4 primary school children in red uniform looking at books with Sathnam Sanghera

Hear from our favourite authors

This World Book Day, we’re shining a spotlight on the brilliant authors who bring stories to life. Discover their inspirations, writing journeys and thoughts on the power of storytelling in our latest blogs.

Discover more
Claire has long grey hair tied back in a ponytail, she is wearing a purple top and a bookmark lanyard. she is playing literacy cards with her reader

Volunteer with us

You can help a child improve their literacy skills, by volunteering in our One-to-one Reading Programme. Whether online or face-to-face, volunteers direct support children in disadvantaged communities who are at risk of leaving primary school unable to read well.

Learn more

Why become a Bookmark volunteer?

There are many reasons volunteers choose to share their time as a reading volunteer, including:

  • Meaningful impact

    You can help a child gain the reading skills and confidence they need to succeed

  • Fits around you

    It’s so flexible! You can volunteer at a time that suits you

  • Flexible commitment

    It’s only 30 minutes twice a week for six weeks

  • Convenient options

    Sessions can be done either online or face-to-face at one of our partner schools

Testimonials

Hear from the volunteers, teachers and children on the One-to-one Reading Programme.

  • I've found it so rewarding and feel honoured to be able to spend my time in their company - I'm learning a lot about some things I might have taken for granted! It has been a great pleasure.

    Volunteer
  • 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, Volunteer
    Volunteer with black rimmed glasses sat in front of laptop at her dining room table. She is smiling at the camera and about to type on the keyboard.
  • I like reading with my volunteer because they can help me have a try and I can get smarter.

    Child on the one-to-one reading programme
  • For those 30 minutes with a child you feel like you're making a positive impact and helping them in some small way on their important journey of education, self-esteem and confidence.

    Volunteer
  • I would say this is the BEST reading programme we have ever participated in. It allows the valuable one-to-one time to read, which staff in schools struggle to find in school. The volunteers are amazing, and the children truly love their sessions.

    Teacher from one of our partner schools
  • Being a bit shy and easily disheartened to a child who is so happy to read and now tries even the tricky words.

    Volunteer
  • The reading things you help us with makes us better at everything. 

    Child on the one-to-one reading programme

Want to find out more?

Come along to an open session. We’ll talk through the benefits of volunteering, process for joining and provide more details on our reading programme. The sessions are delivered in Microsoft Teams.

Book a place

Sign up to volunteer

Volunteer with Bookmark today.

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