Five reasons why you should become a reading volunteer

Studies* show that many people give up on their New Year’s resolutions after just one month. This could be because they’ve set unrealistic goals, have a lack of motivation, or the goal just isn’t right for them. But this year, make a resolution you can keep. Make 2025 a year of growth and fulfilment, by volunteering your time to do something that can make a meaningful impact. 

Becoming a reading volunteer is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It’s an opportunity for you to build new skills and make meaningful connections, all while empowering a child through reading. 

Let’s explore the top five benefits of becoming a one-to-one reading volunteer from the experiences of the wonderful volunteers at Bookmark. 

1. Make a positive impact

Volunteering with us allows you to contribute directly to your community by helping a child develop the confidence and literacy skills they need to thrive beyond the classroom. 

One Bookmark Volunteer based in Wandsworth said: ​“I see first-hand the impact and support reading sessions have on children in the borough. It’s really satisfying to see children improve their reading skills and their confidence through the programme.’ 

This shows the direct impact reading sessions can have on children, emphasising the tangible improvements in children’s reading skills and confidence, that one-to-one reading sessions can facilitate. 

In each session, volunteers play a vital role in a child’s educational journey, helping to build their self-esteem and unlock their full potential.

2. Foster personal fulfilment

As a reading volunteer, you’ll witness the joy and pride that comes with seeing a child progress knowing you’ve played a vital role in their journey – for many volunteers, this is a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

3. Learn a new skill

Volunteering with us helps you develop communication, mentoring and leadership skills while transforming a child’s future. Becoming a reading volunteer helps you to connect with children in meaningful ways and, through these interactions, you can develop greater empathy, patience and understanding. 

“Reading with the children has improved my confidence as well. I used to hate reading aloud. Now I don’t mind at all. I can’t think of anything I would rather do than reading with the children. It gives you a better lift than chocolate and coffee!’ 

Volunteering offers a unique opportunity to transform not only the lives of children but also your own – developing the confidence and skillset that can stay with you for life.

Hear from Judy as she speaks about her motivations for becoming a Bookmark Volunteer and why she enjoys supporting children on the One-to-one Reading Programme.

4. Be part of something bigger

Becoming a Bookmark Volunteer means you’ll be part of a community dedicated to shaping a brighter future for children in disadvantaged areas. You’ll join a network of passionate individuals working hard to make a tangible impact on a children’s lives. 

One volunteer shared, ​‘I’ve only started with Bookmark quite recently and I am delighted with the whole thing. I have been able to really recapture that lovely experience of sharing books with children and doing something that I love to do. Its also lovely to be part of a group of enthusiastic fellow volunteers ready to share and give advice.“ 

Volunteering with us connects you to a larger mission, creating a sense of belonging and purpose while making a lasting impact on the children we support.

5. Make an impact that lasts

Reading volunteers can play a crucial role in helping a child to develop a love for reading that can last a lifetime. They can also help towards tackling the literacy gap that disproportionately impacts children from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Volunteers play a significant role in boosting literacy skills, driving engagement in academia and increasing confidence among their readers – key factors needed to bridge the children’s illiteracy gap and overcome the barriers many children face. 

One volunteer, who works in the health sector, shared their perspective: ​“As someone trying to address the inequalities that exist, it’s so clear that educational attainment and life chances play a huge role in so many other areas of people’s lives. [The reading programme] offers young people far more than [just] reading skills. It offers an important step to bridging the gaps that exist, which have never been as glaringly obvious as during the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

By fostering a love for reading, supporting their academic growth and equipping them with the skills and confidence they need to thrive, volunteers can help children from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome some of the barriers they face. 

So, this year why don’t you make a resolution that truly matters?

*Smith, M. (2024) What New Year’s resolutions are Britons making for 2025?, YouGov. Available at: https://​yougov​.co​.uk/​s​o​c​i​e​t​y​/​a​r​t​i​c​l​e​s​/​5​1​1​5​0​-​w​h​a​t​-​n​e​w​-​y​e​a​r​s​-​r​e​s​o​l​u​t​i​o​n​s​-​a​r​e​-​b​r​i​t​o​n​s​-​m​a​k​i​n​g​-​f​o​r​-2025 (Accessed: 06 January 2025).