Bookmark Volunteer
By inspiring the joy of reading, we can give every child the opportunity to succeed. By becoming a reading volunteer, you can help change a child’s story.
Become a reading volunteer
You can help a child who’s at risk of falling behind by becoming a reading volunteer. You’ll be delivering fun 30-minute reading sessions, in which you will read and play games with a child, giving them the support they need to develop their confidence and enjoyment of reading.
What to expect in the role
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You’ll choose convenient days and times, committing to two 30-minute reading sessions per week for six weeks*.
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In your first session, you’ll use our resources to assess the child’s interests and reading level.
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Using a library of books, games and activities, you’ll lead 30-minute personalised literacy sessions.
*Ensure you’re able to commit to two 30-minute sessions per week for six consecutive weeks, along with a commitment to participate in at least three programmes a year.
Sign up to volunteer
Do something amazing and change a child’s story through the joy of reading.
Becoming a Bookmark volunteer
- As a Bookmark reading volunteer, you’ll support a child struggling with reading by delivering two 30-minute reading sessions each week for at least six weeks, along with a commitment to participate in at least three programmes a year
- Volunteers can choose to work face-to-face or online
- Read the volunteer role description here or download it below
Ensuring children and volunteers have a great and safe experience means our recruitment process and training is done well.
- Find out more about our Safer Recruitment Policy and Safeguarding at Bookmark
- You'll need to provide a five-year education, employment and volunteer history and provide two references to complete your application
- Once your application has been reviewed, you can apply for a DBS check. We’ll support you through this process and pay for your DBS check to be done
- Our training is all done virtually at a time that suits you
- It usually takes our volunteers around four to six weeks to complete their application process and training
- Search for more information and advice in our Help Centre
- Conduct structured, engaging reading sessions, including games
- Provide feedback, adapt to the child’s needs, and complete at least 10 out of 12 sessions per programme
- Use the Volunteer Hub for scheduling
- Complete initial and periodic online training, including safeguarding.
- Follow Bookmark’s safeguarding policies and report any concerns about a child’s wellbeing.
How to register to become a Bookmark volunteer
Becoming a Bookmark volunteer is a rewarding way to make a positive impact on children’s literacy. Watch the video below to learn more about how to sign up.
I've found it so rewarding and feel honoured to be able to spend my time in their company - I'm learning a lot about some things I might have taken for granted! It has been a great pleasure.
Want to find out more?
You can come along to an open session on Microsoft Teams to meet our volunteering team, find out more about what’s involved and ask any questions.
We’ll also talk through the benefits, process of joining and provide more detail on the reading programme. You can book onto an online support session here.
Volunteering open session
Curious about volunteering with Bookmark? Check out our pre-recorded information session to discover what it means to be a Bookmark volunteer and how you can make a difference.
Frequently asked questions
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You'll select the programme timing which works best for you and book it through our Volunteer Hub. You'll then log onto each session through your PC, laptop, MacBook, Chromebook, iPad, tablet or phone, which requires both a webcam and an internet connection.
Teachers will set the child you'll be reading with up with the same so that you can use our secure online platform, with plenty of games and reading resources to deliver a reading session online.
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Yes! As well as online sessions, we offer face-to-face opportunities to read with a child at a primary school that is local to you, depending on availability. We're looking for people who could support a minimum of two children a week, across 12 weeks, for in-person programmes.
You can find a full list of areas with school availability, which is updated across the year, by searching for 'f2f schools list'.
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Our six-week reading programme involves two 30-minute sessions each week with a child who needs extra support with their reading. This can either be face-to-face in a local primary school, or virtually through our secure online platform.
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Our digital platform pairs schools with fully safeguarded, vetted and trained reading volunteers in the local community, at the tap of a button.
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Programmes can be posted at any time during the academic year. Schools have flexibility to decide which children will take part and for how long.
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As soon as you apply, our team is on hand to help you through the process. Bookmark will pay for, and help you with, your DBS check, and you’ll receive full training so that you’re ready to start. Our community of volunteers is also another great source of support, with many sharing ideas, advice, book groups and more, should you need it.
Sign up to volunteer
Do something amazing and change a child’s story through the joy of reading.
