Reading for Life is a volunteer community reading program to help children having difficulty reading at primary school.
Volunteers from Cadbury become reading buddies to selected children and visit them at their school to help enhance children’s reading skills, self-esteem and motivation. Each volunteer works with a child one-to-one for 45 minutes every week for between 10 and 15 weeks.
Reading for Life is more than simply reading with children.
Its semi-structured content is modelled on best practice and developed by a team comprising a psychologist, teacher and speech pathologist. Volunteers are trained and supported by professionals.
Reading for Life contains activities to engage and interest children. It also offers them encouragement to do their best and have a go in a supportive environment.
Children in the program range in age from seven to 10 years. Their teachers and parents would like them to have the chance to benefit from the extra one-on-one help this program provides.
Each Reading for Life program includes schools, children and volunteers who meet certain selection criteria. The program also actively involves families and classroom teachers.