Literacy and numeracy
Employee volunteering schemes supporting schools to help young people develop the core skills of literacy and numeracy are popular with teachers.
The literacy and numeracy support offered to students differs quite extensively according to whether they are of primary or secondary school age. The organisations mentioned in the literacy support and numeracy support pages focus mainly on primary school students, yet there are many opportunities to help older students too. Students who reach secondary age and require help with basic literacy and numeracy are likely to lack confidence in their abilities and be more of a challenge to teach. If schools require such help with secondary students, the employer can ask for advice and guidance on how their employees can help.
Literacy support
There are three main programmes that offer literacy support: Reading Partners, Volunteer Reading Help and Every Child a Reader.
All three offer students the chance to improve their literacy skills by practising with responsible and enthusiastic reading mentors (such as employees in an organisation). Employees would generally need to spend up to one hour each week listening to students reading. They do not need any special skills, but will have to complete a training session and obtain a CRB certificate.
Numeracy support
There are two programmes that offer numeracy support: Number Partners and Every Child Counts.
Both programmes offer students the chance to enhance their numeracy skills by playing specially developed number games with responsible adults (such as employees in an organisation). Employees would generally need to spend up to one hour each week helping students with their numeracy. They do not need any special skills, but will have to complete a training session and obtain a CRB certificate.
Literacy and numeracy support: benefits for employers
- It is an easy and popular way for employers to engage with schools.
- It helps employers to build their reputations in the community.
- It helps employers get a better understanding of the schools and young people.
Benefits for employees
- Volunteering schemes are very popular with employees, leading to improved job satisfaction and enhanced employer reputation.
- Staff can find the help they give to young people to be hugely rewarding.
- They develop communication and interpersonal skills.
Benefits for students
- Research undertaken by academics at Queen's University Belfast for Business in the Community has shown that such schemes enhance the confidence and self-esteem of children.
Getting started
Literacy support:
- Visit the page on literacy support organisations.
- Visit the Volunteer Reading Help website.
- Visit the Every Child a Reader website.
Numeracy support:
- Visit the page on numeracy support organisations.
- Visit the Number Partners website.
- Visit the Every Child Counts website.
The Shine Trust raises funds to support more intensive literacy and numeracy interventions using specially trained staff.