The following message was sent via the Newmarket u3a web site.
It was addressed to Chair.
Please reply to Charlotte Foot ( c.foot@schoolreaders.org ). Phone: 01234 924111
I am contacting you from a national literacy charity called Schoolreaders. We find and match volunteers with local primary schools to support children in improving their reading and comprehension skills, as well as developing their confidence and social skills.
Schoolreaders has made strong connections with U3A groups in other regions so I am contacting you to see if you would be able to share some information about our organisation with your members who might be interested in our volunteering opportunities.
To make a difference to a child’s life chances by helping them make progress with their reading is such a rewarding experience for volunteers. Research shows that fewer and fewer children are reading for pleasure but this is something that Schoolreaders, with the help of their volunteers are seeking to change.
We have schools across Suffolk who are waiting to be matched with volunteers and in particular we have 5 schools in the Newmarket area that have registered with us and are hoping for volunteers soon.
If you are able to send some information to your members via email or on social media, I can send you some digital promotion material if you email me.
I can also send you some flyers/bookmarks that could be handed out to members at any events/meetings that might be upcoming.
Our volunteers must be able to commit to at least an hour each week for a full year during term time (although holidays can of course be taken) and will undergo an Enhanced DBS check, which is organised and paid for by the school. Volunteers must have a good standard of written and spoken English, but we do not require any specific qualifications and we do not have any age restrictions on our volunteers as long as they are over 18.
Please visit https://www.schoolreaders.org for more information about Schoolreaders and the work we do. Volunteers can apply directly via the website or can contact us at admin@schoolreaders.org if they have any questions.
If I can help in any way, please do get in touch.
Best wishes,
Charlotte Foot