Heartfelt thanks to volunteers

Despite lockdown completely transforming children’s schooling, our local charity ABC to Read have announced outstanding results in their most recent annual report, with 98per cent of the local Berkshire children who benefit from a one-to-one ABC to Read mentor improving in their reading confidence.

The report also highlights that 98per cent of the youngsters working with them have improved in their attitudes towards reading and 95per cent have enhanced their accuracy and comprehension.

Our incredible volunteers at ABC to Read give their own dedication and time to work with primary school children who have been identified by their schools as struggling most with their reading, with many of the schools assigning their pupil premium to provide an ABC to Read mentor.

The charity’s model of assigning a volunteer to work with children on a one-to-one basis is achieving excellent results and leaving teachers and children alike thrilled with their progress.

Improvements in reading confidence have also been shown to have a direct impact on children’s self-esteem, with 98per cent of those surveyed reporting an improvement in general self-confidence.

On behalf of everyone, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for the support we’ve received over the last few months.

As we face many new challenges, we remain focused in providing the best support for every child.

We would like to thank all our volunteers who continue to help Berkshire children to improve their reading.

We are passionate about developing a love of reading and to this end we strive to support children’s potential and by doing so increase their confidence, competence and wellbeing.

The charity are hoping to place volunteer mentors in schools again from September, dependent on government guidance.

We are actively recruiting in order to ensure they are able to support those children who may have fallen behind with their reading during recent unprecedented months.

There are still spaces available for any new volunteers to take part in training and for schools to sign up to the scheme.

For more information about training days or joining the scheme as a school or volunteer mentor, contact: info@abctoread.org.uk

ABC to Read CEO

Marcia Rowlinson