Help impart your enthusiasm, joy and knowledge onto the children you work with and encourage them to want to read, enjoy books and to read for pleasure. You can make a real difference to the children you help and also make a difference in yourself knowing what valuable help you are giving.
Daphne White, Stanhome Gedling
“Feeling loved by the children”
Jenny Logan, Huntingdon Primary
“I always leave with a smile or a story to tell”
Sue Paton, Pierrepont Gamston
“Recently retired so sense of purpose to my week and a new challenge”
Hazel Eaton-Knight, Jesse Grey
“I feel I’ve done a good job seeing the progress the children make”
Elaine Hobson, Carnavon
“Makes you feel young, being with the lovely children”
Marilyn Sackman, West Bridgford juniors
“Seeing the children and being appreciated by them , so makes something worthwhile”
Jo Smith, Keyworth Primary
“I look forward to my sessions , from a retirement position – gives me some purpose in life”
Sue Fenton, St Johns Colwick
“Having a stake in the future of children”
I started volunteering at Carlton Standhill School January 2022. The training was interesting and informative albeit through Zoom, but I have also since attended a network meeting which was invaluable to meet other Volunteers and see new resources.
My daughter is a newly qualified primary teacher and is passionate about children’s literacy. The very little amount of time she has in a day to listen to or read with children on a one to one basis totally surprised and shocked her. She suggested that I considered it as a volunteering role. I am ex-NHS so this is a completely different experience for me but one I am thoroughly enjoying.
I see four Year 1 children within a 2 hour session every Wednesday. We talk about school, home, pets, hobbies etc and then look at the books they are currently reading. Sometimes we pick a story to read together or a game to play. All depends on how the session is progressing and how engaged they are. Returning in September after the holidays I definitely feel more comfortable in school and more confident with the children. It’s lovely having children you have previously had coming up and smiling, saying hello and asking why they can’t read with you anymore. The teaching staff couldn’t be more welcoming and friendly and appreciative of the time we offer.
I feel privileged to be able to share 30 minutes one to one with a child, giving them my full attention, hopefully developing their confidence and ability and maybe a lifelong love of reading.
I commenced volunteering at Rosslyn School last October. I have a good friend of many years who has been a Volunteer for several years and would talk about the work she did in school. We would meet up from time to time, to catch up over coffee and she would often say how much she was enjoying volunteering and how she could see the difference that she was making. I did not think much more about it.
With retirement however I found that I did have some time that I could offer.
The training was by Zoom as we were in the middle of lockdown. It was full and comprehensive and there was space to ask any questions. Nothing was too trivial to ask as we were all at the same stage.
It had been a long time since I had been in a primary school as both our children are adults. The school was quietly organised. All the children seemed so purposeful about their work and so well behaved. I have enjoyed having the same children each week and getting to know them. It has been such a delight to see hesitant readers at the start of my time with them and everyone becoming so much confident now in their reading. The children are really enjoying the books we are sharing. It has been good to get teacher feedback on the progress made. It is lovely to know that I have played a part in this (together with their teachers, parents and carers).
