Coram Beanstalk at The Big Lunch

This month we were delighted to attend the Big Lunch: Sharing Stories event at The British Library during Volunteers’ Week – an opportunity to celebrate the incredible impact reading volunteers have across the country. 

Organised by The Eden Project and The National Year of Reading, the event brought together community, corporate and youth volunteers from a number of organisations who are all committed to helping children find the joy in reading and to become better readers. There were two very special guests at the event - Paddington and our Coram Beanstalk Patron, Her Majesty The Queen.

Celebrating the power of volunteers

Head of Coram Beanstalk, Amy Lewis along with colleagues Michelle Searle and Helen Goodwin, were joined by two of our wonderful reading helper volunteers Chantelle (who reads with children in the North West) and Malcolm (who reads with children in the South West). It was fantastic to have them represent our community of over 1000 volunteers at this event to celebrate the commitment and dedication of them all.

Over afternoon tea, including a fitting 'marmalade sandwich' cake, the gathered volunteers were encouraged to share stories of their experiences before being treated to a performance of poems by the UK Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage CBE, and London’s Young Poet Laureates for 2026/​27, Maya and Latifah.

National Year of Reading Ambassadors Jack Edwards and Spud Man also spoke of their love of stories whilst The Queen spoke to as many volunteers as she was able. Chantelle was delighted when Her Majesty sat down right next to her. And of course, Coram Beanstalk's guests were thrilled to even meet Paddington himself!