Latest stories News Mayor of Wirral visits Coram Beanstalk partner school On Thursday 16 April one of our Coram Beanstalk schools had a very special visit from the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral. Having seen a story in the Wirral Globe about our work in 28 schools across the Wirral and our urgent need for more volunteers, the Mayor and Mayoress asked to find out more about Coram Beanstalk. Bidston Village Primary kindly offered to host our special guests, where afternoon tea was served by Headteacher Ms Shahi and the Assistant Head Mrs De-Brabander. Also in attendance was Gill, a Coram Beanstalk volunteers at the school along with some of the children she has worked with over the years. Gill was proud to tell the Mayor and Mayoress that she works with children through the whole school year and that it has been lovely to see them progress. She mentioned that she has been reading with one particular child for four years and it ha been wonderful to see how much their reading has improved over that time. Gill's Coram Beanstalk support representative was also invited to meet the Mayor and Mayoress to explain more about how we recruit, train and support all of our volunteers across the country. They chatted to the children about books and reading - although the children and the Mayor disagreed about which football team was the best! Some of the children read aloud from their favourite books including a book called ”Don’t Wear your Knickers on you Head” which had some funny poems! Mrs Shahi spoke of how much the children’s confidence has grown and how the reading sessions benefit the children in all sorts of ways. She told us it was an honour and a privilege to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral to the school. We are so very fortunate to have Gill Bain, a trained volunteer who comes into school each week to deliver fun, interactive reading experiences with our children. She encourages children to develop their love of reading, to gain confidence and to find books that inspire them to be inquisitive and to become readers for life. Mina Shahi, Headteacher of Bidston Village CE Primary School Some of the children told the Mayor: 'My confidence has really grown since I started with my Beanstalk reading helper." 'I used to feel nervous in reading lessons, now I love it because I have learnt new skills with Mrs Bain.' 'For my birthday I have asked for a new book - I love reading now!' Join us as a reading helper in Wirral Manage Cookie Preferences