School reading volunteers - Portsmouth area

Do you have a small amount of time each week to make a meaningful difference in a child’s learning journey?

Reading is a fundamental life skill, and many children benefit from additional support to develop their reading abilities. As a reading volunteer, you’ll play an important role in nurturing their confidence and love for reading.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Provide one-on-one support to children by listening to them read for approximately 10 minutes each session.
• Encourage and motivate children to read independently, fostering both their skills and enthusiasm for books.
• Engage with the children by discussing the stories, helping to build their comprehension and critical thinking.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a child’s educational development and be a positive influence in their learning experience. Your time and support will make a lasting impact!

Where?

Various locations in Portsmouth.

Who can apply? 

You do not need any special qualifications for this role. All we ask is that you are reliable, good with children, you can read and speak fluent English. 

When?

We ask that you can commit to one session, per week, each term. There is flexibility around which day you can attend each week to suit your own personal commitments. Each weekly session will last approximately 2 hours. You can sign up for more shifts if you wish to.

Benefits of volunteering

Helping children to become confident, independent readers is so important, and an area of work where parents, carers and other members of the community can make a big difference. 

Benefits for the pupils

Pupils benefit by developing a positive relationship with volunteers who will support them with their reading. This helps develop their confidence, ability and increase their long term enjoyment of reading.

Benefits for the school

By becoming a school reader, you are providing the school with a valuable way of improving the attainment of underperforming pupils, offering rewarding one-to-one reading time, which schools may be unable to offer themselves.

Benefits for the volunteer

You will gain pleasure from knowing that you are making a real difference in a child’s life by helping to develop their literacy and interpersonal skills. You will also get the opportunity to see this progress first hand, as you will often work regularly with the same children. You will also add valuable skills to your CV.

References:

Professional references can be from a current or past employer, someone you have worked with or volunteered with, or from an education setting such as a teacher. They must have known you for at least two years. 

Character references must be from someone who knows you well on a personal level. It can be a friend, or someone you work with, volunteer with etc. It cannot be a family member. They must have known you personally for at least two years. 

DBS - You will be required to complete a DBS check with the school. You will need valid photo ID and proof of address ID for this.

If you're seeking a college placement, please contact the schools directly, as we do not handle placements.

Process:

You will need an account to register your interest for this role. Once you have registered your interest you will receive an automatic email with next steps. If you have not received this in a couple of hours, please do get in touch as it may not have registered ([email protected]). 

You will need to respond to the "Criteria Check" email to progress with this role. 

Please check your junk email folder in case any emails end up there.  Friendly reminder that the charities/organisations emails may end up here too. 

About the organisation 

Portsmouth Together is the city's dedicated volunteer centre, bringing communities together through the power of volunteering. As a citywide partnership, we inspire, connect, and support individuals and organisations to make a lasting impact across Portsmouth. Whether you're looking to volunteer or seeking volunteers, we're here to help you make a difference.

**Please check your Junk email folder in case any emails end up here, we will be touch with you within a few days by email. Friendly reminder that the charities/organisations emails may end up here too. **

What skills do I need?

- 16 years and over

- Volunteers will need to undertake a DBS check (paid for by us/ photo and address ID required)

- You will need to provide two references (non family members) 

- You will enjoy working with children 

- Have good reading skills and can speak fluent English

- Patient and reliable.