Stephen Williams MP praises Bristol reading charity
November 9, 2006 1:09 PM
Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, has supported the work of Bristol based charity, Volunteer Reading Help, in a parliamentary debate on child literacy. Mr. Williams held up the charity as an impressive example of the role the voluntary sector can play in improving literacy rates.
The volunteer group was established in Bristol in 1973 and now works with children in over 1,000 schools across the country. VHR recruit and train volunteers to provide extra support and mentoring for 6-11 year olds who find reading a challenge. Without such support children may fall behind their classmates and their confidence and self-esteem may suffer.
Mr. Williams said: "The emphasis in the support given by Volunteer Reading help is not on achieving any key stage or curriculum requirements; it is all about the fun of reading. It teaches reading by encouraging children to read books that they enjoy and to take part in games. Its results have been impressive."
He also commented on the correlation between reading difficulties and social deprivation: "The gap in educational attainment at the age of 11, between children eligible for free school meals and those who aren't, amounts to the equivalent of a year's loss of teaching support."
"Poor literacy levels in primary education feed into a wider gap at GCSE level and beyond. In higher education, the participation rate for those from working class families is around 15 per cent, whereas for those from professional families and whose parents have been to university it is 80 per cent."
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