Impact made by Beanstalk Volunteer Reading Helpers in schools recognised by Kent Children’s University™

Impact made by Beanstalk Volunteer Reading Helpers in schools recognised by Kent Children’s University™

• Literacy Charity Beanstalk approved as learning destination for Kent Children’s University™
• Once rolled out across Kent, over 100 Children in Care will benefit
• Now is a great time to become a Beanstalk Volunteer Reading Helper!

Beanstalk’s volunteer reading helpers can now issue Learning Credits in participating children’s ‘Passports to Learning’. This qualifies for every hour of reading completed with their Beanstalk reading helper.

Beanstalk will initially roll the scheme out in North and West Kent to Children in Care through Virtual School Kent. VSK relevant in supporting the education and health of children that have been taken into care. Eventually once rolled out across the county it will benefit more than 100 children in care.

Once children achieve a fixed number of Learning Credits, there are opportunities to celebrate their successes at a very special Graduation Ceremony. Beanstalk will hold these at Canterbury Christ Church University, The University of Greenwich (Medway Campus) or The University of Kent.

Malou Bengtsson-Wheeler, Area Manager at Beanstalk Kent and Medway explains:

“We are so proud of this partnership as it shows the positive impact that our volunteer reading helpers have on children’s learning in schools across Kent and Medway.” “It’s also a wonderful recognition of the efforts that our volunteers go to to inspire confidence in struggling and reluctant readers, and that this is shown to meet with the quality assurance process of National Children’s University Trust.”

“The Learning Passports will be such a great scheme for the Children in Care that our volunteer reading helpers currently support in Kent and Medway schools. Each participating child could potentially collect 30 credits through their work with their Beanstalk reading helper throughout the year, which would allow them to graduate with a bronze award! It is a fantastic scheme to be part of which really aspires to our key Beanstalk values which are to support children to Read, Succeed and Grow,” adds Malou.

Volunteering as a Beanstalk reading helper

• Extremely rewarding
• Makes a lasting difference to children’s lives
• Great way to give something back to your local community.

Beanstalk currently has volunteer reading helper vacancies across Kent and Medway.

Can you spare 3 hours a week to help a child with their reading? Please contact the Maidstone office on 01622 662026 or apply via the website www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk.