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Right to Read
Introduction
Right to Read is a national campaign launched in Leicester in March 2002. The programme seeks to recruit volunteers from both the public and private sector to promote literacy. It is led in Leicestershire by the Leicestershire Education Business Company (LEBC) on behalf of Leicestershire Cares, an initiative of Business in the Community. Since March 2002 there have been over 5,000 volunteers from business, universities, colleges and the wider community working with children in over 130 primary schools across the city and county.
'One hour's reading help per week over a 12 week period can improve a child's reading age by up to six months.' (DCSF)
Statistics show that one to one reading is the most beneficial way of learning to read. Large class sizes and pressure on teacher time as well as poor reading skills in the home mean many young people miss out on learning to read and the joy that can bring.
This programme is funded by the Learning Skills Council, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Earnest Cook Trust. In Leicestershire Walkers Snack Foods are the main private sponsors and have donated £120,000 worth of books to every school supported by the programme.
Volunteering
Right to Read recruits business employees to spend one hour per week for a minimum of 12 weeks listening to 5-11 year old children read. This programme gives volunteers the chance to make a real difference to the life of a child. Low levels of literacy may exclude young people from the workplace and society in general. Each volunteer works with 3 children.
Volunteers are checked through the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) as well as receiving training and support throughout the programme from the LEBC. Volunteers are generally matched to a school close to their workplace enabling them to take an extended lunch hour to visit their local primary school and read with their selected children. It is a minimum of a 12 week period which may be extended.
The role of the volunteer is to help the child to:
Enjoy stories and information Understand the meaning of the text Imagine what is happening in the story Have an opinion on what is happening in the story Talk about words and reading Express himself/herself Gain confidence Know what the reader does well Enjoy the reader's success Have fun!
Schools Schools who have taken part in this programme have seen the many benefits to young children. Not only does their reading improve, but also their self confidence and therefore their ability to progress in other areas.
To contact the Right to Read team please click here.
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