Bedford Charity Teams Up with Corporate Partner to Supercharge Children's Reading Skills

Project Group aimed to broaden its ESG initiative by providing comprehensive and significant assistance to employees operating in high-speed work settings.

Following some research and a referral through word of mouth, Project Group teamed up with Schoolreaders , a charitable organisation offering complimentary reading assistance to primary schools.

Andrea Ball, who serves as the Group ESG and Social Value Director at Project Group, stated As someone who has volunteered before, I have been able to assist with reading and mentorship programs through my past work experiences, which remains close to my heart. In my role as ESG lead, I was keen on establishing a comparable program within the Project Group.

Offering literacy assistance to kids is crucially significant, and upon discovering that one out of every four children in the UK fails to meet the required reading standards before leaving primary school, I was genuinely stunned. Proficiency in reading opens up numerous educational avenues, and no child ought to face hurdles simply because they didn’t receive adequate literacy help.

Initiatives such as those undertaken by Schoolreaders are essential for aiding children and improving their academic achievements, significantly contributing to the development of future professionals. This motivated me to involve Project Group in this important endeavour.

In 2024, over fifty percent of children and youngsters stated that they do not like to read during their leisure time the lowest figures since 2005.

A major factor behind children’s struggle to learn reading is the lack of adequate individualized reading sessions with an adult.

Schoolreaders pairs up volunteers with nearby primary schools and facilitates more than 33,000 weekly reading sessions across classrooms in England, linking volunteers directly to these institutions.

Through collaboration with Schoolreaders, four members of the Project Group have been paired with nearby schools, many located within just two miles of their workplace. These volunteers assist two classes weekly, helping up to a dozen Year 5 and 6 students improve their reading skills.

Up until now, the members of the Project Group have discovered that participating in this program enables them to momentarily detach from their daily work routines for several hours, offering an opportunity to refresh themselves. The team has noted enhanced well-being and better mental health, describing these school visits as 'enriching' and 'gratifying'.

Julie Davies, the Group HR Operations Manager at Project Group, stated: “I've really enjoyed being a Schoolreader so far, and I love building a connection with the students I support. Working with the children makes you laugh and gives you a real sense of work-life balance by taking you out of the everyday routine.

I would urge other enterprises to engage with Schoolreaders, even if initially it forms just one component of their wellness initiatives. It undoubtedly has its niche, and organisations stand to benefit immensely—enhancing well-being, developing competencies, among others. This is precisely why our executives wholeheartedly support this initiative as well.

Staff effectively handled their tasks while still finding opportunities to assist colleagues. This initiative has enabled employees to develop a clearer understanding of their roles, promoting improved work-life harmony along with a heightened feeling of independence.

Similarly, both the nearby schools and the participating students have gained from the extra reading materials available.

Sara Cockroft, Joint Headteacher at Beech Hill Primary School, stated: When we examined the conclusion of last year, we found that the children assisted by Schoolreaders volunteers had progressed beyond expectations during the preceding 12 months thanks to the help provided by our volunteers.

Schoolreaders develop fantastic connections with pupils, which matters greatly to our institution. The kids genuinely appreciate these moments, and their value extends beyond just academic advancement.

A student from Year 5, whom Julie listens to when reading, mentioned: I've been reading with Julie for a few months now, and I genuinely enjoy it. She often poses questions related to the chapters I'm reading, which I appreciate. After finishing each book, we take quizzes together, and this practice significantly aids my comprehension.

A second student from Year 5, whom Julie listens to while reading, commented: I appreciate that when I make mistakes, Julie corrects me and assists in my learning. Without reading, I would feel down as I'd find it harder to tackle difficult words – plus, reading improves my spelling.

Research by Schoolreaders reveals that 94% of children increased reading confidence following volunteer reading sessions and 72% benefited from spending time with a positive role model.

The tale of Project Group illustrates vividly how volunteer work can enhance an organization, boost staff well-being, and assist the local community.

Should your enterprise be interested in participating in such an initiative, we encourage you to find out more and reach out for further information via the provided link. www.schoolreaders.org/corporate-support