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  • "I feel I have made a difference in a little one's life"

    Story Starter volunteer Angela explains how she feels she is making a meaningful difference to young children's lives... Read more

  • From 'The Twits' to 'I am Malala'

    For Mandy, being a reading helper has presented moments of pride, happiness and achievement, but with some challenges along the way... Read more

  • "I feel I have made a difference in a little one's life"
  • From 'The Twits' to 'I am Malala'
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  1. Blog

Blog

"I feel I have made a difference in a little one's life"

Story Starter volunteer Angela explains how she feels she is making a meaningful difference to young children's lives... Read more

Posted to: Blog

Published: 19th November, 2019

Author: Kate Rumsby

Related topics:
  • News and views
  • Views

From 'The Twits' to 'I am Malala'

For Mandy, being a reading helper has presented moments of pride, happiness and achievement, but with some challenges along the way... Read more

Posted to: Blog

Published: 1st August, 2019

Updated: 23rd October, 2019

Author: Kate Rumsby

Related topics:
  • News and views
  • Views

H is for Harry – and thoughts on literacy, libraries and laureates

Story Starter Anne Thompson shares her review of the powerful documentary 'H is for Harry' - a film about a boy and his struggle with literacy. Read more

Posted to: Blog

Published: 24th July, 2019

Author: Kate Rumsby

Related topics:
  • News and views
  • Views

"I give credit for my ability and delight in reading at a young age to someone who was barely literate herself"

Professional writer and Coram Beanstalk volunteer Linda explains how her love of reading was nurtured by the family housekeeper. Read more

Posted to: Blog

Published: 6th June, 2019

Updated: 1st August, 2019

Author: Kate Rumsby

Related topics:
  • News and views
  • Views

Michael's story: "It’s never too late to try something new"

The second story in our Volunteers' Week series is by Michael, from Maidstone, Kent... Read more

Posted to: Blog

Published: 4th June, 2019

Updated: 1st August, 2019

Author: Kate Rumsby

Related topics:
  • News and views
  • Views

Volunteers' Week stories: "I know the struggles of trying to read in a second language"

Emma shares her story as part of Volunteers Week 2019 Read more

Posted to: Blog

Published: 3rd June, 2019

Updated: 1st August, 2019

Author: Kate Rumsby

Related topics:
  • News and views
  • Story Starters views

Coram Beanstalk OU/UKLA reading groups enable volunteers to explore children's books

A new initiative enabling current volunteers to study a variety of children's books is such a success that it is being rolled out across the country. Read more

Posted to: Blog

Published: 20th March, 2019

Updated: 3rd June, 2019

Author: Sarah Pickstone

Related topics:
  • News and views
  • Views

Why ‘H is for Harry’ will be shedding the light on illiteracy this World Book Day

Producer, Jon McGoh, talks to Coram Beanstalk about his new film, ‘H is for Harry’ and the importance of highlighting the struggles many children face with illiteracy whilst discussing the challenging question of ‘What does it take to change a child’s life?’ Read more

Posted to: Blog

Published: 21st February, 2019

Updated: 21st March, 2019

Author: Sarah Pickstone

Related topics:
  • News and views
  • Views

International Volunteer Day - Helping to build stronger communities

Beanstalk's CEO reflects on the importance of volunteers in helping shape stronger and more resilient communities... Read more

Posted to: Blog

Published: 5th December, 2018

Updated: 21st February, 2019

Author: Kate Rumsby

Related topics:
  • News and views
  • Views

The power of parental involvement

Parentkind talks to Beanstalk about the role of parents and how their input can hugely benefit schools. Read more

Posted to: Blog

Published: 22nd November, 2018

Author: Sarah Pickstone

Related topics:
  • News and views
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Showing 10 of 86

Latest

  • The i launches Christmas appeal to give children the gift of reading

    The i newspaper launches its Christmas appeal which this year will support the work of Coram Beanstalk - giving more children the gift of reading...

  • "I feel I have made a difference in a little one's life"

    Story Starter volunteer Angela explains how she feels she is making a meaningful difference to young children's lives...

  • The i Christmas Appeal

    Last year 1 in 4 children left primary school unable to read well. These children are at risk of the damaging long-term effects of poor literacy. You can rewrite this story and ensure every child has the gift of reading by supporting the i's Christmas appeal today. By donating today, you will give the gift of reading to children across the UK and help them to read, grow and thrive.

  • Coram Beanstalk chosen as The Old Vic theatre's charity partner

    The Old Vic theatre has announced it is supporting Coram Beanstalk through volunteering and audience donations this Christmas!

Most read

  • Reading 321 - apply to volunteer in a primary school

    Become a Coram Beanstalk Reading 321 reading helper and support three children, twice a week, for at least one academic year.

  • Become a Story Starter - apply to volunteer in an early years setting

    By becoming a Story Starter volunteer you will give a child in a local early years setting the skills to start primary school ready to read.

  • Where we work

    Coram Beanstalk offers different programmes across the UK. Find out where our main volunteering opportunities are here.

  • What's involved

    Find out more about what's involved as a Coram Beanstalk trained reading helper and the life-changing impact you can have!

  • Frequently asked questions

    Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions by new volunteers.

  • Why volunteer?

    Become a Coram Beanstalk reading helper to make a lasting difference to a child's life and enjoy a unique volunteering experience.

  • What we do

    Find out more about how we provide one-to-one reading support.

  • How we can help

    Find out more about our approach to improving your pupils' reading ability and confidence.

  • Thank you for applying to be a Beanstalk reading helper

  • About Story Starters

    Story Starters is a collaborative project between Coram Beanstalk, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and LuCiD to ensure that children start school ready to read. Story Starters was launched in 2017 thanks to funding from the People's Postcode Lottery's Dream Fund.

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Coram Beanstalk is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Copyright © 2019 Coram Beanstalk. Coram Beanstalk, Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ. Registered Charity No. 296454 (England and Wales). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 2101719.
All images are from Coram Beanstalk’s stock image library and are for representation only. Names in case studies have been changed to protect identities. All rights reserved.
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This website is administered by Coram Beanstalk as lead partner in the Story Starters programme. Coram Beanstalk is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Copyright © 2017 Coram Beanstalk. Coram Beanstalk, Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ. Registered Charity No. 296454 (England and Wales). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 2101719. All images are from Coram Beanstalk’s stock image library and are for representation only. Names in case studies have been changed to protect identities. All rights reserved.

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