Volunteer with Bookmark
Volunteers are front and centre of our work to help children succeed in school and beyond.
Become a Bookmark volunteer and change children’s life stories in just one hour a week!
About the volunteer role
At Bookmark, volunteering is focused on one-to-one reading programmes in order to maximise the number of children we’re able to support with improving their literacy.
Whether online or face-to-face, volunteers directly support children in disadvantaged communities who are at risk of leaving primary school unable to read well. This sets them up for a future with many more opportunities than they might otherwise have. You don’t need any specific experience to become a one-to-one reading volunteer as Bookmark provides all of the training and resources you’ll need to deliver the role.
Why volunteer with Bookmark?
There are many reasons volunteers choose to share their time as a reading volunteer, including:
-
Helping children gain the reading skills they need
-
Boosting a child’s self-esteem and confidence
-
Joining a community of volunteers
-
Seeing first-hand the result volunteering accomplishes
Already a Bookmark volunteer?
If you’re already a Bookmark volunteer, thank you!
You may find the below links helpful if you’re looking for information or resources to help deliver your reading programme.
Being a reading volunteer at Bookmark
You’ll be reading stories and playing games in 30-minute sessions, with a child aged between 5 and 11, either face-to-face or on our secure online platform. In one of our six-week programmes, by spending two sessions each week with the same child, you can improve their confidence in reading, literacy skills and reading enjoyment. Volunteers will also be expected to commit to participate in at least three programmes a year.
Become a one-to-one reading volunteer
Help a child by becoming a one-to-one reading volunteer with Bookmark. Deliver two 30-minute reading sessions a week, face-to-face or online, to change a child’s life story.
Corporate volunteering
Find out more about volunteering with Bookmark through your organisation. Choose single or twice-weekly sessions to help change a child’s story.
Reading mentors
Our Reading Mentor Programme gives 14 to 18-year-olds the opportunity to read with children in local primary schools.
Want to find out more?
Come along to an open session. We’ll talk through the benefits of volunteering, process for joining and provide more details on our reading programme. The sessions are delivered in Microsoft Teams.
Other ways to support us
From fundraising to donating, there are plenty of ways you can get involved and support us with our mission.
What volunteers say
We take pride in offering a volunteer role that is impactful, enjoyable and accessible.
-
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 
-
It was such a wonderful experience. I was very happy knowing that I was helping someone. The child really improved a lot during the six weeks. It was really rewarding for me to see the improvement.
Jo, Volunteer 
-
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 
-
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 -
It was such a wonderful experience. I was very happy knowing that I was helping someone. The child really improved a lot during the six weeks. It was really rewarding for me to see the improvement.
Jo, Volunteer -
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 -
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 -
It was such a wonderful experience. I was very happy knowing that I was helping someone. The child really improved a lot during the six weeks. It was really rewarding for me to see the improvement.
Jo, Volunteer -
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
Related content
-
Bookmark Volunteer Featured on the BBC
At 91 years old, Bookmark’s oldest volunteer has been helping children improve their reading skills. As featured in the BBC, discover more about Dianna.
-
Volunteer spotlight: Igniting the joy of reading with Karen
Bookmark team member and volunteer, Karen, tells us about her reading partnership and her memorable moments from her time on the programme.
-
How you can build your confidence through volunteering
Volunteering has many mental health benefits like increasing self-esteem and boosting confidence. Learn about how you can boost your confidence through volunteering.
