Coram Beanstalk’s service is simple yet highly effective. We recruit, train and support volunteers to provide consistent, one-to-one reading support to children aged 3-13 who need our help. Our reading helpers give them the support they need to improve their reading skills, reading ability and confidence. We also provide training to people within the school community who want to help children learn to read for pleasure whilst improving their reading skills. 

The children we help might have fallen behind with their reading, lack confidence, or struggle with their fluency, comprehension or vocabulary.

Our one-to-one reading support changes the child's life: 

  • Improving their reading ability
  • Inspiring confidence in their own ability
  • Increasing their enjoyment of reading

Coram Beanstalk reading helpers are trained to recognise what challenges each child faces and tailor their sessions to support each child.

Each Coram Beanstalk reading helper works with an average of three children and provides consistent support on a weekly basis, for a whole school year. Together, they read, have fun with books and have book-based conversations. With Coram Beanstalk's support the child's approach to reading and learning is often transformed. Our latest schools survey (July 2019) shows:

  • 90% of schools would recommend Coram Beanstalk to other schools.
  • 93% of schools say that their reading helpers enabled them to offer one-to-one support to children that would be difficult to provide otherwise.

What primary schools think of our impact

  • 97% of schools said that their Reading 321 reading helpers helped children to improve their enjoyment of reading.
  • 98% of schools agreed that their Reading 321 reading helpers helped children to improve their confidence.
  • 97% of schools agreed that their  Reading 321 reading helpers helped children to develop a positive attitude to reading.
  • 95% of schools said their Reading 321 reading helpers helped children to increase their self-confidence and self-esteem

What early years settings think of our impact

  • 94% of settings said their Story Starters volunteers helped children develop vocabulary and language skills
  • 90% of settings said their Story Starters volunteers helped increase children’s enjoyment of sharing books
  • 97% of settings said their Story Starters volunteers helped children understand how books work
  • 95% of settings said their Story Starters volunteers helped increase children’s awareness of sounds and letters

Reading 321 - apply to volunteer in a primary school

Story Starters - apply to volunteer in an early years setting