A PLEA has been issued to find a team of volunteers to help youngsters to improve their reading skills.

School children who have fallen behind with their reading, struggle and lack confidence are being helped by volunteers from Coram Beanstalk.

The reading charity is urgently calling for more people to join them in giving primary pupils a love of reading that will last throughout their lives.

Ginny Lunn, managing director of Coram Beanstalk said: “By working with children who have either fallen behind with their reading, lack confidence, or struggle with their fluency or comprehension, our reading helpers can make a significant difference to their future prospects.

“Each reading session is conducted on a one-to-one basis, twice a week for one academic year, meaning reading helpers get the chance to focus first and foremost on encouraging reading enjoyment, turning them in to confident and able readers.

“This week is Volunteers Week and it’s a particularly significant time for us to join organisations from across the country to say ‘thank you’ to all those who give up so much of their time to contribute to the many amazing projects and causes that rely on the support of volunteers.

“It’s also a time we hope many more people will fill inspired to consider volunteering – I myself am a reading helper and it really is such a joyful thing to do if you are able to.”

Once trained reading helpers provide one-to-one support to children aged three to 13 in a variety of ways, turning them into confident readers.

If you would be interested in becoming a reading helper in a local school or early years setting in Darlington visit

www.corambeanstalk.org.uk

for more information or call 020 7729 4087.