Educational charity, Beanstalk, have been awarded a grant of £31,000 to help support children with reading difficulties across Greater Manchester and Sefton. This grant will support nearly 100 children with reading difficulties, offering them the one-to-one literacy support they need to succeed in school.

Beanstalk is a national charity which recruits, trains and supports volunteers to work in primary schools with children who have fallen behind with their reading.

Beanstalk-trained reading helpers will work one-to-one with the children to improve their reading ability and confidence. Together they will read, talk, and play educational games to ensure that they have the skills to reach their true potential.

Robert Wright from the West Lancashire Freemasons visited Christ Church CE Primary School in Bootle on Tuesday, meeting with teachers and Volunteer Reading Helpers to learn more about the vital support that Beanstalk volunteers are providing to children who are struggling with their reading.

The one-to-one support provided by Beanstalk trained reading helpers is proven to transform the literacy skills and confidence of children. Research shows that only 20 per cent of children supported by a Beanstalk reading helper were still unable to sound out new words correctly when reading new books, compared to almost 50 per cent prior to the intervention.

Robert Wright from West Lancashire Freemasons said:

“We are very pleased to be able to support Beanstalk’s excellent work in schools. If these children are not able to read and write properly they will fail to get much out of their education and their whole future will be put at risk.”

Ginny Lunn, CEO of Beanstalk said:

Beanstalk is extremely grateful to West Lancashire Freemasons for the generous grant towards our work with children in the North West. Thanks to your wonderful support we will support many children to develop the reading skills they need to reach their true potential. On behalf of all the children whose lives will be transformed, thank you so much.

If you think you could volunteer and help disadvantaged children in Greater Manchester and Sefton by becoming a Beanstalk reading helper visit their website >> www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk