Talking about stories and games and reading. – Lucy
Reading funny books. – Alanna
Playing games and winning. – Jaelen
Reading because it gets my imagination running very much. – Grace
I enjoyed discussing any words and things I didn’t know and we worked them out together. – Adam
She really helps me to feel better at reading. – Breige
Her helping me to use expression and reading my book because we both like it and want to find out what happened. – Summer
She is really funny. – Judah
I like talking better than reading! – Lewis
Games with reading and writing. – Laycee
Playing Scrabble and doing crosswords. – Anyika
When she helps me when I get stuck. – Rhys
I love learning with her. – Korben
I enjoy reading different types of books. Then playing Swap. – Roxanne
I enjoyed discussing what I read and talked about any facts. – Taylor
Everything! – Samuel
TEACHER TESTIMONIALS
“The children who spend time with the volunteer are always so eager to go to their session and look forward to it every Monday. They always tell me what a great time they have had and really appreciate the time which she spends with them. As the class teacher, I have personally seen great progress in all of the pupils academically and have also watched their confidence blossom.
This service has allowed many children to spend valuable time one to one with the volunteer, which otherwise would not have been possible due to the busy dynamics of the classroom.” – Katy Godfrey, Y6 teacher, St Patrick’s Primary School
“We value the work you all do at Mellers. We know that your volunteers are always well prepared, reliable and our children love them. We rely on the volunteers to work with children who do not have the opportunity or support to read at home and so this really does have an impact on their progress in school. This is not only their progress in reading but their confidence and self-esteem. The volunteers make a difference to our children.” – Joy Buttress, Mellers Primary
“We’ve had two great Literacy volunteers at South Wilford and the quality one to one time has really benefited many of our children. It’s been lovely to see children getting excited about stories and enjoying sharing books with our volunteers. The one to one sessions enable the volunteer to follow the child’s interest and the enjoyment and chatter that comes from the sessions is a pleasure to see.” – Kate Marusiak Early Reading and Phonics Lead Y1, 2 and 3 Phase Lead, South Wilford Primary
WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS GET OUT OF VOLUNTEERING – FEEDBACK JUNE 2023
Daphne – Stanhome Gedling School
“Feeling loved by the children”
Jenny – Huntingdon Primary
“Always leave with a smile or a story to tell”
Sue – Pierrepont Gamston School
“Recently retired so sense of purpose to my week and a new challenge”
Hazel – Jesse Grey School
“I feel I’ve done a good job seeing the progress the children make”
Elaine – Carnavon School
“Makes you feel young, being with the lovely children”
Marilyn – West Bridgford Juniors
“Seeing the children and being appreciated by them, so makes something worthwhile”
Jo – Keyworth Primary
“I look forward to my sessions , from a retirement position – gives me some purpose in life”
Sue – St Johns Colwick School
“Having a stake in the future of children”
FAMILY FEEDBACK
“We really love these groups. I bring my daughter who has special needs, and the group has helped her a lot.”
“I love the diversity of the group.”
“It helps my mental health to get out and come to this group.”
SCHOOL TESTIMONIALS
“Literacy Volunteers give our children the opportunity to receive the much needed time and patience of a trusted adult. Literacy Volunteers share books and games that not only improve reading skills and language development but more importantly children have fun! The children love the quality time spent with our reading volunteers, each individual looking forward to their own slot. Children ask us to move the timetable around so they don’t miss their chance to work with their Literacy Volunteer”
“Standhill Infants School have used Literacy Volunteers for a number of years. We find the one to one work with the children so beneficial that this year we requested 2 volunteers! Not only does the intervention support reading progress, it also helps children’s mental health and attitudes to learning. The children really love the one to one time with the volunteer, and the pace of the session means children really get the opportunity to build a relationship with the adult, which in turn helps confidence and motivation. At Standhill we have also found it helps with attendance as children enjoy their individual sessions so much they want to come to school.” – Headteacher, Standhill Infants, Carlton
“We have used Literacy Volunteers for a number of years to help raise pupils’ attainment in reading. If a pupil doesn’t engage with reading at home, our Literacy Volunteers work effectively to boost their confidence and help foster a sense of enjoyment in reading. The children like working with the Literacy Volunteers, they enjoy the one to one time with someone who is kind and understanding. They recognise that the Literacy Volunteers are in school to help them and they quickly build positive relationships. Teachers can see the positive impact that working with Literacy Volunteers has on children’s reading and confidence in general. Our Literacy Volunteers have become honorary members of staff at the school and the work they do is greatly valued by the whole school team.” – Headteacher, St John’s CofE Primary School – Stapleford
“We have one child who really needs support and encouragement. She has been taken under the wing of our Literacy Volunteer, who goes the extra mile to find books, resources, games and little bits of interest, particularly targeted to her. She is making a real difference to this girl, and their time together makes her week!
A Year 6, has come out of his shell and started to believe in himself since being supported by out wonderful Literacy Volunteer. She targets books and games to his interest and takes the time to listen and understand him.” – Deputy Headteacher, Killisick Junior, Arnold
“I wanted to stress with you how successful our Volunteer has been with the children she worked with and the lovely relationships that she made with them. She often worked on the tables outside my office and the laughter over the games they played was lovely. One of her children got one of the main parts in our end of summer performance and asked her to come and watch, which she did and he was thrilled. She has also commissioned her own Reading medals within the school which were presented in the children’s leaving assembly. So another great volunteer placement!” – Headteacher, Jesse Gray – West Bridgford
“The Literacy Volunteers service is an integral part of our reading provision. Literacy Volunteers are trained to a high standard and their enthusiasm about reading shines through. They have supported a number of children across the school and have had a great impact with the children they work with. This may be supporting individuals to consolidate and practice their reading skills or help children develop a real love of books. Both of these skills are invaluable in supporting individuals to read. The children love the reading sessions and look forward to their weekly visit. We ensure that all of our Key Stage One classes have access to this resource.” – Headteacher, Trowell C of E Primary School
“At All Saints Infants, we have worked with the Literacy Volunteers team for many years. The support provided by the volunteers is now a central element of our wider English curriculum offer, and enables us to give more quality time and attention to children who really need it.
All of our volunteers consistently build very positive and warm relationships with our children. They become members of our staff team in their own right. The children look forward to their weekly sessions and enjoy the special one to one time with a well-trained adult. The discussions and activities that stem from the reading have supported the children’s language development, and we have seen noticeable improvements in their overall confidence and enthusiasm for reading.
As a school, we rate the quality of the service we receive highly and would recommend it to others.” – Headteacher, All Saints CE Infant and Pre-School, Selston CE Infant and Nursery School
“At Eskdale a high priority is placed on reading, as a school with 31% disadvantaged children we are always striving to find ways that ALL children can develop and be encouraged to have a love of reading. With the help and support of the Literacy Volunteers we are able to give children the opportunity to work with an adult 1-1 to develop reading skills. The Literacy Volunteers provide an important role in developing reading and understanding comprehension of books and in particular the work they do with our disadvantaged children is vital to both children and the school. Many of our disadvantaged pupils would not otherwise have the opportunity to read one to one with an adult. I know that the experience of working with a Literacy Volunteer provides enrichment to their education and personal development providing that one to one time to read and discuss books that many would not have otherwise. I can’t speak more highly of the Literacy Volunteers we have at Eskdale and the impact they have on the children they work with, we consider them to be an asset to Eskdale and our work to ensure that all children have the opportunity to be the best they can be.” – School Business Manager, Eskdale Junior School, Chilwell
“The Literacy Volunteers service is an integral part of our reading provision. Literacy Volunteers are trained to a high standard and their enthusiasm about reading shines through. They have supported a number of children across the school and have had a great impact with the children they work with. This may be supporting individuals to consolidate and practice their reading skills or help children develop a real love of books. Both of these skills are invaluable in supporting individuals to read. The children love the reading sessions and look forward to their weekly visit. We ensure that all of our Key Stage One classes have access to this resource.” – Headteacher, William Lilley Infant School – Stapleford
“Sue has been a real asset to our school since joining us, she is really flexible and works well with the staff and if up for trying anything and happy to support a variety of pupils in a busy primary school.” – Headteacher, St John the Baptist, Colwick
“Learning to Love Books Early Years project is making a world of difference in the communities you work in, the one-to-one engagement you maintain with your families should be known as the gold standard. I have first-hand witnessed the impact you have on families and individual children.
The outstanding act of signposting your families to other local services is exactly what is needed in our communities. Really connecting them and giving the children the best chance of reaching their potential.”
Tayane De Melo Passos, Senior Project Officer – Small Steps Big Changes (SSBC) Ideas Fund
