‘Marvellous Mentors’ needed to support Summer Reading Challenge 2024

LIBRARIES across Reading are again looking for young mentors to encourage children to take part in and complete this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, ‘Marvellous Makers’.

The library hopes to attract youngsters aged 14 -18 years old, who are enthusiastic about reading.

Tasks will include discussing the books younger children have been reading and suggesting other books they might like, as well as helping library staff with Reading Challenge events and craft activities, and handing out rewards to participants. Training, supervision and support will be provided.

This is a great opportunity to develop new skills and experience for the future, and gain valuable work experience for CVs. Volunteering can also help with accreditation for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Last year, over 40 young people from Reading volunteered to support the 2023 challenge.

Reading’s much-loved yearly Summer Reading Challenge will be available across all Reading library branches from 6 July 2024. Children aged 4 to 11 are challenged to read at least six books over the summer months as part of this year’s Marvellous Makers challenge. There is also a pre-school challenge for 0 to 4 year olds.

Find out more on the official challenge website: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk and once it starts, locally at www.reading.gov.uk/libraries.

Donna Pentelow, Reading Borough Council’s Assistant Director of Culture, said:

“I am delighted that our libraries are able to offer this brilliant opportunity once again for the town’s budding readers. Volunteers will have the opportunity to hone new skills, gain valuable work experience, and have lots of fun while doing it! The only qualification required is a love of reading.

“We know children’s reading can ‘dip’ during the long summer holidays if they don’t have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure, which impacts on their progress at the start of the next school year. Volunteers supporting the Reading Challenge this summer will play a valuable role in keeping children engaged with books by being positive role models and advocates for reading.

“Our Reading Challenge is always popular, but after such a difficult and unsettling couple of years for children the programme is more important than ever, keeping minds and bodies active while school’s out for summer. In previous years the challenge has seen thousands of children in Reading take part and I’m eager to see as many youngsters as possible to make the most of all seven of our wonderful local libraries this summer.

Volunteers are needed across all of its branches -  Battle Library, Caversham Library, Central Library, Palmer Park Library, Southcote Library, Tilehurst Library and Whitley Library.

The Summer Reading Challenge will run between Saturday 6 July and Saturday 21 September – volunteers will be asked to commit to a minimum of 6 sessions over the summer (days and times would be negotiable with the library branch managers). The library will provide a volunteering certificate and would be happy to supply a reference letter to any volunteers who successfully complete the minimum commitment over the summer.

The closing date for applications is 19 July 2024. For more information and to apply visit: Volunteers needed for our Summer Reading Challenge – Marvellous Makers - Reading Borough Council