National children’s literacy charity Beanstalk is calling on people to help transform the life of a child in their community
Last year, 66,000 children across England left primary school unable to read to the required level. Beanstalk, a national literacy charity, aims to overcome this through providing one-to-one reading support through volunteer reading helpers. 
Beanstalk reading helpers give three hours a week, one hour to three individual children, during the school term. They help improve their reading ability, transform their confidence, and allow them to reach their true potential.
Each Beanstalk reading helper, who are largely retirees, sees each child for two half-hour sessions a week, during term-time, for three terms, which is why they are calling on volunteers to come forward during National Volunteer week (1-7 June).
With Beanstalk’s support, the child’s approach to learning and enjoying reading is transformed. Some 93 per cent of all children supported by Beanstalk reading helpers make meaningful improvement in their reading ability.
Bryan Rossi-Anderson, Beanstalk Manager for London East said: “The end of the school year is nearly upon us but sadly 12 per cent of children will leave school struggling to keep up with their friends. Beanstalk aims to ensure that each and every child has the ability and confidence to reach their true potential.
“This can only be achieved with the support of the local community. If you believe that you can make reading enjoyable rather than feared, we urge you contact us and find out how you be a hero to a child.”
Beanstalk works in areas of deprivation across England through 17 Area Offices in the North, Midlands, Greater London and Kent.
To find out more, or to become a Beanstalk reading helper, visit www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk /020 7729 4087
