How to feel good for free.

[womanofdulwich]

I want to recommend the Beanstalk charity ( used to be called the voluntary reading scheme). You have to commit to 2x 1.5 hour sessions a week term time, where you will listen to and help 3 children read ( the same 3 each time) at the same primary/junior school. You need to go for 2 days training, but it is extremely rewarding.

http://www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/reading-helpers/how-to-apply

They have funding to train and support you and are short of volunteers.

They place you in a school less than 30 mins away from where you live.

[bon3yard]

...oh, hang on I think there are a few crossed wires here.

[bloonoo]

would love to do something like this but can't find anything that fits in with 9-5 working hours.

[the-e-dealer]

me too but leave for work at 8am and get home 6.15. Maybe find a school near work!

[womanofdulwich]

Its really better for part time workers/ retired- or students/ undergraduates. Maybe a SAHM or DaD.

[Sue]

The "less than 30 minutes" - is that walking or driving or public transport???

I'd be interested in this.

[womanofdulwich]

walking I think. Mine is a 20 minute walk or 8 mins on bike.There are so many schools!

[Sue]

Will check it out, but may wait till after the summer holidays and new school year.

[womanofdulwich]

The screening, training and interview process take a few months-crb etc- so if you applied now it would be perfect for Septemeber :)

[lyd76howe]

Just to pick up on this thread - I am an East Dulwich mother-of-one and among other things volunteer at Save the Children, who are now working with Beanstalk on this programme and are looking for volunteer reading helpers for Southwark schools. This can have a real and positive impact on children's confidence, self-esteem and life chances; as womanofdulwich said, it's an opportunity to feel good for free!

You would be volunteering twice a week for 90 minutes at a time (not including travel time), and would be assigned 3 children whom you'd see twice a week for 30 minutes each, for a year. You would do it within school hours, term-time only, and it's school-based. The school would be in Southwark and the application form asks you to indicate which area would suit you best. Because it?s a literacy programme you do need to have strong literacy yourself and be fluent in English.

I fully appreciate that the fact that it's during school hours means it's not possible for many, but if you are interested and would like to find out more without making any commitment, please PM me. You can also read more about it here: http://www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/reading-helpers

Thanks!

[womanofdulwich]

Its Lambeth as well as SOuthwark as far as I know, and maybe other London Boroughs too.

[Applespider]

They do it in most London boroughs. My company support it and allow time out of the office to volunteer at the school local to the office.