Volunteering

VRH volunteers are very special people.  Once they have applied to be a volunteer, been interviewed, CRB checked and trained, they are placed in a school.  The teacher will refer three children whom she or he thinks will most benefit.  The children may lack confidence or have poor self esteem, they may find it difficult to communicate in class.  They will not enjoy reading and will find it difficult.  Some have difficult family lives and little parental involvement or interest in their education.  Some may live in families where English is an additional language.

Once the children are selected, the volunteers work on a one to one basis with each child, twice a week, in two half an hour sessions.  This will continue throughout the school year.  This ensures continuity for the children.  Volunteers receive comprehensive training, ongoing support and resources including books and games.  Many volunteers go on to become part of the school community.  Some volunteers discover a vocation and decide they want to work with children.  For retired volunteers, it is an opportunity for them to give something back to society and to inspire a next generation of readers.

All our volunteers are different, but they all share a common passion in helping disadvantaged children get the best start in life.  Mary has been volunteering for five years.  She says  “I have seen the children I work with grow and flower during our sessions.  One little girl barely spoke or looked me in the eye.  Now she devours books and loves reading, and is a real live wire in class”.

This is so rewarding for our volunteers, for the teachers and the school, and of course, for the children.