Bookmark volunteer delivers 150,000^th reading session

Today we’re celebrating an incredible milestone for our One-to-one Reading Programme – 150,000 sessions have been delivered by our brilliant volunteers. That’s more than 8,340 children receiving personalised reading support, totalling 75,000 hours of one-to-one reading! 

At the heart of the milestone is volunteer Alice, who delivered the 150,000^th session with her reader and whose dedication has left a lasting impact on the children she has supported. 

Let’s find out more about Alice’s story and the impact she’s making on children in the reading programme. 

Watch the full interview here.

A calling to make a difference

Alice first joined Bookmark in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. ​“We were all locked in, and I was really aware that there were a lot of children missing out on school,” she recalls. 

As a secondary school teacher in London, Alice already had an understanding of the extent of low literacy rates across the country. She said, ​“the literacy rates among adults in this country are shockingly poor, and it’s one of the most important skills to have in life.” 

That belief led her to our reading programme, where she found a way to support children who needed extra help with reading, even during a global crisis. ​“The online programme meant that, despite restrictions, I could still make a difference,” she says. 

Being an online volunteer

Over the past five years, Alice has completed 78 online sessions with 8 young readers. She’s supported readers with a broad range of abilities, from ​“readers who’ve been really keen and enthusiastic… [to] readers who’ve been quite reluctant”. 

She explains that some children need a confidence boost and some just need someone to listen, while some need to be reminded that reading can be fun. With this, she approaches each reading programme differently, exploring various ways to tailor the session to ensure her reader is engaged. 

One of her favourite aspects of the programme is its accessibility: ​“You can have a pupil who lives hundreds of miles away from you – you’re not restricted by geography and it has a really wide reach”. The online format allows Alice to meet children from all over the country, ensuring that geography never becomes a barrier to learning. 

Building a rapport

One of the aspects that make our programme truly special is the bond formed between volunteer and reader. For Alice, the chance to offer undivided attention is something she believes is invaluable. She said, ​“to have an adult who is entirely focused on them for that half an hour and genuinely interested in them and how they develop week to week, is important”. 

Alice explains, it’s not just about teaching – it’s about creating a space where the child feels heard, supported and celebrated. 

First session nerves to lasting impact

Like many first-time volunteers, Alice recalls feeling nervous before her very first reading session. ​“I was quite nervous before my first session,” she admits, ​“but I made sure I prepared myself as best as possible. I went on some of the forums, read lots of the advice that people had posted, and dug out my training on how to run a first session. But it went fine, and you just start pedalling, and it was nice and smooth.” 

Afterwards, Alice recalls, ​“I felt really happy that it had gone well, and I was looking forward to seeing him again. Once you’ve done it once, you know so much better what to expect. So, it was great!” 

Her journey, starting from those first nervous steps, has grown into something truly rewarding, with Alice now enjoying the progress her readers make every session. 

Proud and memorable moments

When Alice reflects on her time as a volunteer, certain moments stand out. 

She said she’d never forget her first reader, who was in year one and was full of enthusiasm and giggles. He had ​“the giggles, [when reading] a book about a dog, a cat and a painter… he loved turning the pages and then being faced with the next disastrous paint pot falling over… he was really engaging with it in a fun way.” 

One of Alice’s favourite aspects of volunteering is the sense of pride she feels when helping a child reach a milestone. ​“It’s really nice coming to the end of a programme because you’ve got these lovely certificates that you can download, personalise and give to them,” she shares. ​“You look back together at how many books you’ve read, and it’s just a really warm feeling. You can give them loads of praise and say, ​“You’re an awesome reader! You’ve made loads of progress!”” 

Alice reflects on how she feels when the reading programme comes to an end, explaining that she enjoys giving her readers’ certificates to show how much they’ve achieved during their time together. 

She also said, ​“it’s a strange feeling when a [reading programme] ends, though. I remember feeling really sad after my first reader, knowing that I might never see that little boy again. But at the same time, I know I made a tiny difference in his life, and that’s what matters.” 

For us, this is a reminder of the deep and lasting effects of the reading programme, for both the reader and volunteer. The small differences volunteers make in the lives of their readers – whether it’s learning a new word or completing a difficult book, are invaluable contributions to their ongoing journey with reading.

Looking ahead

Alice’s dedication doesn’t stop with the 150,000^th session. As she continues her volunteer journey, she’s looking forward to the sessions ahead. ​“I’ve done two sessions with my current reader, and we’re building a nice rapport,” she explains. 

“I’m hoping we can just find books that he really enjoys and continue to see him progress. Last week, he read the word ​‘archaeologist’ without even blinking, and I was pretty impressed with that!” 

Reaching the 150,000^th milestone

Reflecting on the achievement of 150,000 sessions, Alice is overjoyed to be part of such a meaningful programme. ​“I’m so happy the Bookmark programme is doing so well,” she says. ​“When I joined, it was a smaller organisation, but it’s grown exponentially. It’s one of the loveliest things I’ve come across, and I share it with friends and family all the time. I’m so proud to be part of it.” 

Alice’s deep personal connection to our programme is rooted in her passion for reading and her commitment to sharing that joy with others. With ten nieces and nephews of her own, she sees first-hand how vital reading is for young children, and she feels privileged to help others experience that same love of books. 

For Alice, the 150,000 sessions milestone is a powerful reminder of the far-reaching impact that Bookmark has. ​“Reading is so good for the soul, so good for the spirit,” Alice says. ​“I want every child to experience that immersive joy of being lost in a book. It’s amazing that Bookmark has reached 150,000 sessions, and I’m so proud to be part of it.” 

Personal growth

Volunteering with us has given Alice a fresh perspective on her own privilege and the importance of access to reading. ​“It’s taught me how unbelievably privileged I am to be able to read and love reading,” she shares. ​“Many children don’t have that access, so it’s a reminder of my own privilege and the importance of helping to spread the joy of reading to others.” 

This understanding drives Alice to give her time and energy to ensure that more children have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of reading. Through her work, she contributes to making reading more accessible and inspiring a love of books in the children she supports. 

To anyone thinking about becoming a volunteer, Alice has some encouraging words: ​“It’s so rewarding! You just need half an hour a week, a bit of technical know-how, and a willingness to give your time and energy. It’s a truly rewarding experience, and I can’t recommend it enough!” 

Alice’s dedication and impact are woven into the very fabric of our success, and with every session, she continues to inspire positive change in the lives of children – one book at a time.