Our history
VRH has grown from a handful of volunteers to a network of over 1,900 working in over 1,000 primary schools throughout the country by July 2011.
The service was founded in 1973 by Susan Belgrave, who remains actively involved in the organisation. Below is a timeline of our early development as an organisation. We now have 17 branches over 3 regions in England.
1973
- Susan Belgrave initiates a trial of the scheme in North Kensington
- VRH starts with 7 volunteer reading helpers in 2 schools
1975
- VRH has its first official meeting of all its volunteer reading helpers
- Management Committee is formed
1980
- VRH becomes a registered charity
1982
- VRH starts to open branches beyond London - starting in Liverpool
1992
- Susan Belgrave retires as Chairperson and becomes President of VRH
1998
- Regional management structure is introduced
- VRH celebrates its Silver Jubilee with The Rt Hon David Blunkett MP as guest of honour