Charity gives 200 brand-new books to primary schools in need in Wolverhampton

The Careers and The Workplace team working with Wolverhampton Voluntary & Community Action to support school initiative and to promote volunteer reading programme

Bookmark Reading Charity has delivered free packs of 200 brand-new books and resources (worth £2,000 per pack) to 62 partner primary schools in Wolverhampton. This is part of their programme, Your Story Corner – an initiative aimed at eligible schools in disadvantaged communities. The aim of the programme is to encourage a whole school reading culture and to provide children with the literacy resources they need to spark the joy of reading.

Nishkam Primary School were joined by renowned journalist and author, Sathnam Sanghera, and members of the Bookmark team to celebrate this exciting event. Four enthusiastic Year 6 pupils eagerly unpacked the boxes containing high-quality books. Their excitement was palpable as they discovered the diverse range of books available.

One joyful pupil exclaimed, “This is my favourite series! I've never had the actual book before! I'm so excited!"

Bookmark’s Impact Team have shared the following data for this project in Wolverhampton:

• 25% increase reported by teachers in the number of children using the reading space after the books were delivered.
• 100% of teachers said the project made a positive difference to their Whole School Reading Culture.
• 97% of teachers said the project made a positive difference to children feeling motivated to engage in reading.

This highlights the immediate impact these resources had on the pupils and shows the importance of giving children access to a wide range of literature.

Feeling inspired?

Join us and help more children discover the joy of reading in Wolverhampton – or anywhere else in the country – by becoming a reading volunteer

Each year, 1 in 4 children leave primary school unable to read well, with disadvantaged children disproportionately affected*. Struggling to read can contribute to poor educational attainment, lower literacy in adulthood and has even been linked to a lower life expectancy.   

Bookmark are supporting children to develop the reading skills and confidence they need for a fair chance in life and it’s their volunteers who play a crucial role in this vision.

Bookmark volunteers read stories and play games with a child aged between 5 and 11 years old, on their secure online platform or at a local school. The programme involves two 30-minute reading sessions a week with the same child, for 6 weeks. You book your programme through Bookmark’s Volunteer Hub and select sessions on days and times that work with your schedule. 

It's fantastic to see your reader progress, knowing that you are opening a world of opportunity for their future.

“It was such a wonderful experience. I was very happy knowing that I was helping someone. The child really improved a lot during the 6 weeks. It was really rewarding for me to see the improvement.” — Joe, Bookmark volunteer 

Sign up here to become a Bookmark volunteer and change a child’s story.

Bookmark pays for volunteers’ DBS checks, delivers training and offers volunteers ongoing support so that they can deliver fantastic and fun reading sessions, enabling all children to discover the joy of reading.

*Department for Education: Reading England’s Future (literacytrust.org.uk)