One in Four children can't read to expected standard
Volunteers in Wolverhampton are attempting to improve the literacy skills of underprivileged children
As Volunteers’ Week gets underway, national charity Schoolreaders is calling for local residents to give just one hour a week to help change a child’s life through reading.
The appeal comes amid sobering statistics: one in four children in England leave primary school unable to read at the expected standard.
But in Wolverhampton and beyond, Schoolreaders is working to turn the tide—one book at a time.
Currently supporting over 33,000 children across the country through weekly one-on-one reading sessions, the charity connects more than 3,300 volunteers with primary schools, targeting those with the greatest need.
Their efforts are having a clear impact. According to research conducted by Schoolreaders, 94% of children showed increased reading confidence, while 72% benefited from building relationships with a positive adult role model.
Now, Schoolreaders is expanding its reach across the West Midlands and urgently needs more volunteers to help bridge the literacy gap in disadvantaged communities. Using sophisticated placement software, the charity matches volunteers to nearby schools where they can make the biggest difference.
One of those volunteers is 24-year-old chemistry graduate Cody Jenkins, who discovered Schoolreaders through Wolverhampton Volunteering Community Action. For more than a year, Cody has read weekly with up to 20 children at a local school—and he describes the experience as “deeply enriching.”
“I really liked what Schoolreaders does, especially for children that might not be super enthusiastic about reading,” Cody said. “The scheme lets children build a relationship whilst also improving skills that they’ll use in the future.”
Cody’s sessions have gone beyond literacy. From bonding over Harry Potter books to chatting about their new glasses, his time with pupils has created meaningful moments and measurable growth.
“The increase in their reading ability filled me with such accomplishment,” he said. “I felt our time was well spent together.”
Stories like Cody’s aren’t rare. In fact, 99.7% of Schoolreaders’ volunteers say they would recommend the experience to others, and 99% of schools report that the volunteers help strengthen their reading culture.
The economic value of this voluntary effort is also striking. If Schoolreaders’ work was monetised at the National Living Wage, it would be worth over £2.5 million for the 2023/24 year alone—and nearly £8 million since the charity’s founding in 2013.
Volunteers receive full training and support, including safeguarding guidance and reading strategies, ensuring they are confident and equipped to help young readers thrive.
With so many children still struggling, Schoolreaders is urging others to follow in Cody’s footsteps this Volunteers’ Week.
“If you can spare just one hour a week,” the charity says, “you can help a child build a brighter future through reading.”