Voluntary organisation – last updated: 19 November 2008
Primary interest: Voluntary sector
Area of activity: Mentoring
Primary beneficiaries: Child (5-11 years)
Telephone: 0118 9511336
Email: abctoread@btconnect.com Web site: www.abctoread.org.uk
ABC to Read aims to advance the education and self confidence of children in Berkshire, particularly by helping them overcome reading difficulties thereby promoting their general well being.
We recruit and train volunteers from local communities in Berkshire to give individual mentoring to children in primary schools. The volunteers visit school twice a week and spend half an hour with each child they support, reading, talking and playing games. The children who most benefit from this type of help are those who receive little or no support at home, children who do not speak English at home and shy, unconfident children.
Working with their volunteer for up to a year the childrren begin to gain confidence as they experience success in these relaxed one-to-one sessions. Volunteers are supported in school by ABC to Read staff who visit them regularly. They are provided with a box of books and games to use in school and regular opportunities to exchange them.
Ms Tessa Dove - Co-ordinator
Recruitment, training and overall supervision of volunteers. responsibility for funding applications to trusts, unitary authorities, etc.
