Meet Reading Heroes Volunteer, Jo: ‘I’ve worked with care experienced children in the past. To have the opportunity to help one child in a small way is a real privilege’ 

The UK’s largest Shared Reading charity is celebrating its amazing team of volunteers throughout June inspired by Volunteers’ Week 2025, Monday 2 June – Sunday 8 June.  

ROLE: Reading Heroes volunteer 

WHAT IS READING HEROES?

It is The Reader’s project to help spark a love of reading for pleasure and improve the confidence of care experienced children and young people aged 2-15. They are paired with a trained volunteer and read stories aloud online one to one for a period of six to nine months.  

WHY DID YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE READER?  

I first learned about The Reader in lockdown and think the mission is amazing. I used to work as a Literacy Specialist so believe very strongly in the power of the spoken word and the way it can enhance everything from a feeling of belonging to emotional intelligence.  

I first volunteered with The Reader’s Life Letters campaign – bringing the joy of literature to care home residents - but kept an eye out for opportunities to do Shared Reading with someone. When I saw volunteers were needed for the Reading Heroes project, it felt perfect. I've worked with care experienced children in the past and know how often we fail them. 

To have the opportunity to help one child in a small way is a real privilege. For me, it's a particular joy as it's outside of a school role, so there's not the pressure of hitting targets. It can be much more child-led and about the joy of language, storytelling and escapism. 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE?  

I read online each Monday and it's such a lovely start to the week - it's something that I genuinely look forward to and is as much a ritual for me, as it is for the child I read with. In the few short months I've read with him, I've seen such a change in his confidence and enjoyment of language.  

He's at that age where he's developing and discovering new things all the time, so it's exciting to watch that happening. He particularly enjoys poetry, rhyming and books with words that are fun to say.  

At the end of each session, I ask if there's any news he wants to share with me - that can be a new toy or a sticker he got at school that day, but it means I get to know him as an individual and can better tailor each session around him. We say goodbye each week by doing a (careful) high five through the screen. 

ANY INSIGHTS GAINED ABOUT PEOPLE, THE WORLD, STORIES OR YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR VOLUNTEERING?  

Sharing stories with another person is such a privilege. Both my parents love reading - my mum was even a librarian! - and I think that's really easy to take for granted when you grow up with it. But so many children don't have that opportunity.  

Humans have an innate love of stories. We all need escapism and adventure to help us figure out who we want to be. My reader will show me what he enjoys instinctively by repeating certain words and simply enjoying the sound of them. It's a reminder that you don't need to have read every classic or be a 'literary person' (whatever that means!) to find joy in storytelling.  

The fact he comes to each session so unfiltered is refreshing. Truthfully though, we have good days and bad. Times where he wants to read for himself because he's enjoying it so much and times when he finds it a challenge to sit still for five minutes...and that's ok! 

Beyond the books, one of the most important things for me is to be a consistent adult for him. To be there each week, to remember what he's told me, to care, to do what I've said I will and be there each week with a new story we can share. 

If you would like to find out more about The Reader and the volunteering opportunities, we offer please visit here. For more information about our Reading Heroes project visit here. Volunteers receive full training and ongoing support from The Reader.