Oxfordshire’s award-winning charity, Assisted Reading for Children (ARCh), is calling for new volunteers across Banburyshire to join their mission. With over 200 dedicated volunteers already making a difference in primary schools across the county, ARCh is now seeking to expand its team to ensure even more children benefit from one-on-one reading sessions that build crucial literacy skills.
ARCh has spent more than a decade fostering a supportive environment where struggling readers can flourish. The charity pairs primary school children who find reading challenging with adult volunteers, who provide personalised guidance and encouragement. The result? Not only improved reading skills but also a newfound joy in reading. ARCh’s Joint Chief Executive, Jane Rendle, attributes the charity’s success to the commitment and enthusiasm of its volunteers.
“We value all our volunteers very highly and strive to ensure that they gain as much from their ARCh experience as the children do,” Jane said. “ARCh reading helpers come from all walks of life, all ages from 18 to 80 plus; many combine volunteering with paid employment. They are all so passionate and dedicated in their mission to get children enjoying reading.”
Volunteers are the backbone of the ARCh programme, meeting with children regularly to share “happy half hours” of reading. At a recent volunteer meeting, several volunteers spoke about the fulfilment they gain from these sessions, sharing experiences that reflect the impact of their work.
“Every single session is rewarding—I know I’ve made a difference,” one volunteer commented. Another volunteer expressed how gratifying it is to connect with young readers, saying, “It’s lovely to form friendships with another generation—it’s a two-way thing.” Many volunteers report a renewed sense of purpose and describe feeling privileged to help children discover the joy of reading. The relationships they build are transformative, for both the volunteers and the students.
ARCh are also expanding their partnerships with organisations across Cherwell, with a “Employee Volunteer Programme” available to those in full time work. “We work with companies who value their local community and offer staff time each week to go into a local school to volunteer,” Emma Orton, Recruitment Officer said. “We’ve had really positive feedback from organisations we work with currently about how much staff enjoy their time in school and the positive impact it has had on employee well-being.” Organisations both big and small across Banburyshire are encouraged to contact ARCh if they would like to find out more about this programme.
To meet the growing demand for reading support in schools, ARCh has set an ambitious goal of recruiting and training 150 new volunteers this year. By expanding their volunteer base, ARCh hopes to bring the joy of reading to even more children in Oxfordshire. The charity invites anyone with a passion for reading and a desire to make a difference to consider joining the ARCh team.
If you’re interested in becoming an ARCh volunteer, visit their website at archoxfordshire.org.uk or email info@archoxfordshire.org.uk for more information on how you can help a child fall in love with reading. You can also support the charity via donations at https://localgiving.org/charity/arch
By volunteering with ARCh, you’ll not only change a child’s life but enrich your own in the process.
