"Literacy can help reduce inequality and lead to empowerment".

Sally joined Bookmark as a volunteer last year. She had recently retired and wanted to use her time to volunteer, as she hadn’t been able to while she was employed.

Sally has gone above and beyond during her time at Bookmark, joining our charity’s Volunteer Advisory Board and playing a key role in launching a new pilot project.

Sally said:

“I do not have and have never worked with children so the prospect of helping children learn to read was completely out of my comfort zone but a challenge I wanted to try and embrace as Bookmark’s mission is so vital.

Volunteering has made me feel more content. I feel I am making a difference, however small and incremental. I get huge joy from engaging with children via Bookmark and making them laugh as we read in funny voices and play games.

All the pupils I have read with so far have been enthusiastic and eager to learn and their enthusiasm has been contagious. The sessions do make you think on your feet somewhat, trying to explain what words mean and also trying to improve a child’s comprehension of a story. I’ve also really enjoyed building up a rapport with the children, chatting to them and listening to them making up stories and using their imaginations.

Volunteering with Bookmark has underlined the importance of literacy. Being able to read is a fundamental life skill and not having that skill can have far reaching consequences. Literacy is important for everyone. Literacy can help reduce inequality and lead to empowerment.”