Date: 21st November 2016

Beanstalk is marking the start of #iwillWeek (21st – 25th November) by pledging to engage 1,000 young people in local social action by 2020 through its new ReadUp programme. Beanstalk is proud to support #iwill, a UK-wide campaign that aims to make social action a part of life for as many 10-20 year-olds as possible by the year 2020. 

ReadUp is the perfect opportunity for any 16-18 year old looking for a volunteering experience. By providing one-to-one literacy support to a child in a local primary school, 6th form students are able to develop their skills, build their experience, and make a lasting difference to a child in their community.

Ginny Lunn, Beanstalk CEO, says:

• “At Beanstalk, we believe that life is better when everyone can read well and express themselves with confidence. That’s why we have launched this new volunteering programme that offers sixth formers the chance to provide one-to-one support to local primary school children who are struggling with their reading.”
• “We pledge to engage 1,000 young people in local social action by 2020, helping them to make a lasting difference in their community, as well as to develop their own skills and experience.”
• “ReadUp is a great way for students to demonstrate their personal skills and gain volunteering experience – both highly valuable when applying for university or a job. We provide reference letters for all volunteers, and as an Approved Activity Partner for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, it counts towards any DoE programme students are working towards.”
• ReadUp is straightforward, structured and fits in easily around the busy schedule of any student. Each volunteer works with two children in a local primary school who are falling behind with their reading skills, volunteering for a total of one hour per week. Together they read, talk and play games, transforming the reading ability and confidence of the children.

If your school or sixth form college has students that might want to become Beanstalk ReadUp volunteers please get in touch or call 020 7729 4087 to find out more about the programme.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

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. #iwill is a UK-wide campaign that aims to make social action a part of life for as many 10-20 year-olds as possible by the year 2020. You can find out more by visiting http://www.iwill.org.uk/

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

4. Beanstalk works in areas of deprivation across England in the North, Midlands, Greater London, Somerset 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 [email protected] or 07817 030 346