A BOROUGH charity that helps children learn to read, has received a grant from a Berkshire foundation.
ABC to Read assists children to catch up with reading, and helps to raise their self-confidence and self-esteem.
Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF) has awarded the charity a grant of £5,000.
Made possible by a donation from Wellington College, this investment is in addition to previous grants awarded by the Foundation in recognition of their ongoing support of the charity.
Marcia Rowlinson, ABC to Read CEO, says: “Regular support from BCF has enabled us to invest in our local children for the long-term.
“This latest grant will be directed towards an education gap that is still prevalent.
“Training our volunteers thoroughly gives the children we work with the best possible chance for success and we are immensely grateful to BCF for their ongoing support.
“It enables us to support local youngsters with excellence.”
Addressing literacy in primary school aged children is essential to improving their future opportunities.
On average, 360 children are encouraged and mentored by an ABC to Read volunteer every year, with 12,000 hours invested into improving not only their reading ability but their enjoyment of the pastime as well as their general attitudes and confidence.
The charity currently has many vacancies for volunteers to work with the increasing number of children who need catch-up support.
ABC to Read actively seeks people to take part in training, and encourages schools in need of additional reading support to sign up for ABC to Read mentors.
For more information about training days or joining the scheme as a school or volunteer mentor, people should contact: info@abctoread.org.uk
For information about the charity, visit their website at: www.abctoread.org.uk
