Volunteer to help children read
Help children in disadvantaged communities build confidence, improve their reading skills and discover a love of stories by becoming a reading volunteer.
With just one hour a week – online or in a local school – you can make a real difference through one‑to‑one reading support.
Explore our volunteering opportunities
Every child deserves the chance to discover the joy of reading. Yet too many children leave primary school without the reading skills and confidence they need to thrive. As a reading volunteer, you can help change that.
With just one hour a week, you can support a child aged 5 – 11 through fun, structured reading sessions that build confidence, improve literacy and inspire a lifelong love of stories.
No teaching experience needed. Full training and resources provided.
Become a reading volunteer
As a reading volunteer, you’ll spend two 30‑minute sessions each week, delivered online or face-to-face. You’ll read together, play interactive literacy games and boost a child’s confidence through reading, using our library of resources.
Corporate volunteering
Give your team the chance to support children’s literacy through one flexible 30-minute reading session each week. Our corporate volunteering offer fits easily into the working day and can be delivered online or face-to-face – helping teams change a child’s life through reading, without disrupting their work schedule.
Reading mentors (14 – 18 years old)
Are you looking for ways to boost your students” skills? Our student volunteering role is perfect for young people looking to gain experience for university or job applications, or those completing IBAC or Duke of Edinburgh.
Why volunteer with Bookmark?
Our flexible volunteering opportunity makes a real difference and lasting impact on a child, all while fitting around your schedule.
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Support children who need one‑to‑one reading help
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Choose flexible volunteering that fits your life
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Boost a child’s confidence through reading
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Join a supportive volunteer community
What volunteers say
We take pride in offering a volunteer role that is impactful, enjoyable and accessible.
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Even if one child is influenced to think “books are for me” or “I can do this” or “I do want to go to university and study English” – what an incredible difference to have made just by virtue of spending two half-hours a week with them.
Claire, Volunteer 
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My reader really struggled at first with even simple words but he has improved steadily, giving me a real sense of achievement. I can really see the improvement he is making...
Volunteer 
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[My reader's] confidence and enthusiasm, and his ability to really engage and talk about what he was reading [had] grown enormously.
Volunteer 
Frequently asked questions
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Yes. We offer online volunteering opportunities, allowing you to support children remotely from anywhere in the UK.
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No. Training, guidance and resources are provided.
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Volunteers must commit to at least two 30-minute sessions per week.
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Consistent support is key. Just one hour a week can help change a child's life through reading and build skills that last a lifetime.
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