Vicky’s Story

Vicky is a SAMS reading mentor. She attends a school weekly to help support the staff and children by listening to children read. Here is her story.

After stepping away from Lunch Club I decided I would like to try something with a completely different age group and Sam’s request for Primary school Reading Mentors seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
It took awhile to get off the ground as the school has to do some checks before you have access to visiting the children. However once approved the afternoon arrived for me to start. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little apprehensive but I really didn’t need to be as I was made very welcome. Initially I was going to a variety of classes covering all primary ages. Every teacher has always welcomed the help and is so appreciative of the chance for the children to have a one to one reading experience.
I have now settled into reading with 2 classes which have year 1 (5 years old) and
2 (6 years old) children. They now recognise me and are always keen to have an opportunity to read with me. I get little chats and snippets of what’s going on with them. The Children’s reading abilities are varied and the books cover such a range of subjects.
I really enjoy my afternoons. Todays schools are very different places to my school memories back in the 60’s and to get this little insight really helps me keep in touch with the younger generation. I also feel sure that some of the children really enjoy some one to one attention and I know the teachers really appreciate the help.

So if this is something that is on your heart just give it a go. I am sure you will be pleased you took that step!

We love Vicky’s heart to serve in her community. Becoming a reading mentor is a great way to fight against the injustice of children not being able to develop their reading. This can be due to various reason such as lack of time for teachers to hear children read or lack of time, effort and ability from care givers to help their child read. Every child should be given an opportunity to develop this essential skill and becoming a reading mentor relieves a bit of the strain schools face in achieving this.

Paul’s Story

Paul is one of incredible volunteers who spends each week as a reading mentor and is an early interventions coach to two children. This is his story:

For many years I have worked a four day week in my daytime job Monday to Thursday. This was amazing when we had Grandchildren as we were able to look after them on a Friday , as we had four aged now between 6 and 13 this happened for a number of years.

Two years ago the last granddaughter was off to Bishopswood school to join her brother and cousin . I then had the dilemma of what was I going to do on a Friday. One Sunday in Church Sam our youth Pastor was talkingabout school work such as Reading, having the three grandchildren there I thought why not it would be good to give back something to the community.

Over the summer holidays I heard about Transforming Lives for Good and Early intervention as soon as I spoke to Sam I was booked on a days course on line. Which I promptly did. After that it was DBS and full safeguarding training all completed by the end of September.

The first day going into school felt like the first day I went to school, slightly apprehensive and a bit nervous, the thought of a classroom of 8 year olds put more fear in me than standing up in a union meeting in-front of 100 members.

The teacher introduced me and then asked who would like to read with me, a few hands went up and I had a very enjoyable hour listening to children reading. Being able to give a child praise and encouragement is  rewarding not just to them but to you.

By the following week the teacher asked who wanted to read and the whole class put their hands up, two years down the line this still happens. As I walk around the school I hear little voices saying Good morning Paul , how are you Paul. Even Grandad over here.

After a month I started doing early intervention , I still have the same young man 16 months later. Early intervention is being that safe place, fun, caring, the sessions are not fully structured because each week will depend on where the child is at , at the beginning of each session we have a mood wheel the child will indicate what mood they are in. So if they are stressed going for a walk,kicking a ball about and just talking are fine . If in a good mood being creative painting, building Lego etc. or my now favourite just sitting talking playing a game of Chess.

No two sessions are the same , the same as no two different children are the same , two years down the line I do nearly a whole Friday 1 hours reading and two hours early intervention with two children with such different issues

Doing this does bring hope that you can change a child’s life, be that just giving that child your time by sitting and listening. Or spending time as an early intervention coach showing compassion to children and their families who may not be going through an easy time in their lives.

Having a church family around me who support me really helps.

The school and the staff are so supportive of what we do and I feel empowered to be able to bring hope and light into the children’s lives.

Paul, we love the compassion you have for the children in your community and the hope you’re helping them to discover. We are so grateful to our all our volunteers like Paul, who donate their time and efforts in helping to transform lives.