READING Borough Council is seeking young volunteers who are enthusiastic about reading to take part in its annual Summer Reading Challenge, in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust.
The challenge sees the volunteers discussing books with younger readers and making suggestions and helping staff with events and activities.
Volunteers between 14 and 18 are being sought, and will be provided with training, support, and supervision.
The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at helping to get children between 4 and 11 to read six books during the summer holidays.
The challenge is designed to combat the reading “dip” that younger students often experience during the school holidays while away from their studies.
Volunteers are needed across all of the participating libraries, including Battle, Caversham, Central, Plamer Park, Southcote, Tilehurst, and Whitley Libraries.
Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of six sessions during the summer, though times and dates are negotiable with branch managers.
Libraries are happy to provide certificates of volunteer work and reference letters to those who complete their commitment, to help with CVs and employability.
Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for leisure and culture, said:
“I am delighted that Reading Libraries are offering this brilliant opportunity again for younger residents.
“Reading Challenge Volunteers have the chance to learn new skills, gain valuable work experience, and have fun doing so. The only qualification required is a love of reading.
“We know children’s reading can ‘dip’ during the long summer holidays if they don’t have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure, impacting their learning at the start of the next school year. Volunteers supporting the Reading Challenge this summer will play a valuable role in keeping children engaged with books by being positive role models and advocates for reading.
“The Reading Challenge is always popular, but after such a difficult and unsettling couple of years for children the programme is more important than ever, keeping minds and bodies active while school is out. In previous years the challenge has seen thousands of children in Reading take part and I’m eager to see as many youngsters as possible take their marks for the free ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ challenge and make the most of our wonderful local libraries this summer.”
The Summer Reading Challenge runs from Saturday, July 8, to Saturday, September 2, with applications to volunteer closing on Friday, July 21.
Information about applying and taking part is available via: reading.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/volunteering-for-our-summer-reading-challenge
