ABC to read only works with primary schools in Berkshire. It provides eligible schools with trained volunteer reading mentors to support children who are struggling with their reading.

ABC to read volunteers receive training in key areas such as:

• Safe-guarding responsibilities.
• How schools teach literacy skills.
• How to build trust with a child.
• How to support children with their own reading.

Volunteers come in to school twice a week to provide one-to-one support for up to three children. During the half-hour session, volunteers read with a child and play games in order to boost their confidence and reading skills.

All volunteers come with Universal Safeguarding Training and Enhanced DBS.

Schools are encouraged to provide feedback about the service and are asked to complete a short survey each year to help monitor the impact of the programme.

Cost: Up to £390 per volunteer (around £3 per child/week), depending on grants available to ABC to read.

About ABC to read: ABC to read is a Queens Award and Investing in Volunteers award-winning charity that was founded in 2004. Its mission is to transform children’s lives by working with schools, families and children to provide high quality support in developing literacy skills and building self-confidence. It currently maintains around 100 volunteers and works with over 500 children in Berkshire primary schools each year.