Program to help children read is launched in Ipswich

A new program has been launched in Ipswich to help children that struggle with reading.

Beanstalk, a national children’s literacy charity, is recruiting volunteers to work one-to-one with primary school children across England.

Vera Cousins, one of the first trained reading helpers, has started supporting three children at Whitehouse Community Primary School. Mrs Cousins will continue to visit the school twice a week for 30 minutes for the academic year.

The volunteers will get to know the children and tailor the reading sessions to their specific interests to help increase their confidence.

Mrs Cousins said: “I am really excited about becoming a Beanstalk reading helper. Our visit to Whitehouse School was very welcoming and staff were very interested in what the project has to offer.

“Over the past few years I have been wanting to ‘make a difference’ and I know that Beanstalk will be just the right thing to do. Reading has always been very important part of my life and to pass on my enthusiasm to help three children at the beginning of their school education will be very rewarding.”

Andrea Hall, Head Teacher at Whitehouse Community Primary School, said she is “thrilled to be working with Beanstalk to increase the confidence of readers at the school.”

The charity is now recruiting its new intake of reading helpers and is booking places on to its next training and selection day which will be at Ipswich Library on March 29.