Our training team will ensure you feel well prepared for when you start volunteering so that you're confident right from the start.

Learning and Development Team Manager - Rebecca Pedelty-Cox

Hi, I’m Rebecca! I have worked at Coram Beanstalk since June 2023 as the Learning and Development manager and part of the training team. For the last 13 years I have worked in the primary education sector as a class teacher, phase leader and literacy coordinator. During this time, I was lucky enough to see the amazing impact the Coram Beanstalk approach had on children in my classes. This helped drive my passion to ensure that even more children become confident readers through the 1-to-1 support provided by our dedicated volunteers and students.

I love meeting, training and supporting our reading helpers on their journey who all bring unique qualities to the role and focus their passions on helping children find the joy in reading. Sharing books with children was always my favourite part about being a teacher and it’s a privilege to help our reading helpers find the best ways and books to get children excited about reading and help them start discovering their identities as readers. 

Trainer – Lorraine Dowson

Hi, I’m Lorraine, I’ve worked with Coram Beanstalk since 2014, training volunteers to help children discover a love of reading. From my first job as a primary teacher in a disadvantaged area of Leeds, through work in Early Years, community education and post-16 education as a lecturer and manager in Lancashire, I have seen the power of good literacy skills to change lives. Reading was my first love and it has always been a joy to share wonderful words and stories with children of all ages. My last job in mainstream education was to run a new library in a primary school, which wanted to inspire all its children to read for pleasure. If we can do that through our reading helpers and help children to build confidence in reading we are well on the way to achieving the Coram Beanstalk aims that inspired me to join this amazing charity.

Trainer – Sara Browne

Hi, I’m Sara. I have been with Coram Beanstalk since 2016, first as a volunteer reading helper and now as a Trainer. I originally trained as an actor, before becoming a Portage worker, working with pre-school children with additional needs. I spent twelve years as a lecturer in Early Years Development and Education.  This gave me a strong insight into the importance of sharing books with young children, something that doesn’t always happen consistently in the home.

I find it difficult to think of a day passing without reading a book of some kind, and I love bringing the enjoyment of great books to the children I see. It is exciting to share Coram Beanstalk’s successful child-focused approach with people on our training courses. I enjoy setting them off on their own confident path as reading helpers, ready to help children discover new worlds through a love of reading.

Trainer - Anna Robinson

Hi, I’m Anna and have been with Coram Beanstalk since September 2023 as a trainer both for Reading Helpers and for Reading Leaders. Having worked as a Secondary teacher of English for over seven years including being a Key Stage 3 literacy specialist and Head of English, I know the value of reading and love to open students’ eyes that reading is more than just the words on the page. Working in the educational charity sector for a number of years has increased my passion for literacy in young adults and Coram Beanstalk are brilliant in doing so.

I’ve always got a book (or three) on the go and have a love for Young Adult fiction: I’m always recommending books to read to the students I train. I have the privilege of training for Coram Beanstalk volunteer Reading Helpers and Reading Leaders who are enthusiastic to pass on their love and passion for reading; knowing it can unlock doors for future success. It makes me proud to know that the next generation love reading as much as I do!

Apply to volunteer now