HRH The Duchess of Cornwall shows her support for Beanstalk

24th October 2016

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall shows her support for Beanstalk 

On 21st October Beanstalk was delighted to welcome its Patron HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to the Wells Festival of Literature to celebrate the launch of Beanstalk's work in Somerset.

The Duchess met with children supported by Beanstalk, their teachers and Beanstalk trained reading helpers and read an exclusive extract from 'The Best Bear in All the World', the new book that celebrates the 90th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh.

With support from the Wells Festival of Literature, Beanstalk launched its work in Somerset in February 2016 and - with the start of the school year now underway - it has already placed its first reading helpers in schools. Over the next year Beanstalk will be increasing its work in Somerset to ensure that more children in the county have the skills and confidence to reach their true potential. 

Ginny Lunn, Beanstalk CEO said: 

• "We were delighted to have HRH The Duchess of Cornwall join us at the Wells Fesitival of Literature to mark the expansion of our work in Somerset. Over the next 12 months we aim to increase the amount of children we are able to support in Somerset, ensuring that they have the skills and confidence to reach their true potential. It is thanks to HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and the Wells Festival of Literature that we have been able to make such positive progress in the south west of England." 

Emma Craigie from Wells Festival of Literature said:

• "We are absolutely delighted that HRH The Duchess of Cornwall visited the festival on October 21 and joined us to celebrate the launch of the charity of Beanstalk in the south west. The Duchess is a Patron of Beanstalk and the festival has spearheaded the expansion of this wonderful charity, which supports children's reading, in the south west."

Beanstalk reading helpers support three children each, seeing each child for two 30 minute sessions a week, during term-time, for three terms. With Beanstalk's support the child's approach to learning and enjoying reading is transformed.

To find out more, or to become a Beanstalk reading helper, call Beanstalk on 01749372202 or visit www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk 

(ENDS)

1. Beanstalk is a national literacy charity that recruits, vets, trains and supports volunteers to work in primary schools with children who have fallen behind with their reading. Its vision is a nation of confident children who can read and grow up to lead successful lives. To find out how to volunteer, visit www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk or call 020 7729 4087.

2. Each Beanstalk reading helper works with three children and sees each child for two 30 minute sessions a week, during term-time, for a whole year. Together, they read, play and talk. With Beanstalk's support the child's approach to learning and enjoying reading is often transformed.

3. HRH The Duchess of Cornwall has been Beanstalk's Patron since 2013.

4. Beanstalk works in areas of deprivation across England through 17 Area Offices in the North, Midlands, Central England, Somerset, Greater London and Kent.

5. Beanstalk was founded in 1973 as Volunteer Reading Help by Susan Belgrave MBE, Beanstalk’s President.

6. For more information or quotes please contact Tom Rippon at 020 7729 4087