VRH expands into Durham to help local children

Last year almost 1 in 5 children in the North East left primary school unable to read to the required standard. National children’s charity Volunteer Reading Help has launched in Durham its first new branch in almost ten years to help address this issue. The charity is already supporting 28 local children who are struggling with their reading from a number of local schools, including Woodhouse Primary School in Bishop Auckland, and aims to support 60 children by the end of the school year.

VRH reading helpers support the same children week in, week out, giving each child an hour of quality, one-to-one time. With the support of VRH a child’s approach to reading and learning is often transformed, standards improve and they grow in self-esteem and confidence.

“The VRH programme is a simple, cost-effective solution that is a great example of communities in action: bringing local volunteers into schools to help teachers raise standards. We’re delighted to have opened our newest branch in Durham thanks to funding from Network Rail and the Breadsticks Foundation, and hope that many children will benefit from our support in the coming years”, says Sue Porto, VRH’s Chief Executive.

Primary schools interested in finding out more about the scheme or local residents interested in volunteering as reading helpers should contact VRH’s Volunteer Services Manager Clare Sandford on 0845 450 344, email northeastsouth [at] vrh [dot] org [dot] uk or visit www.vrh.org.uk for more information.