Today is the beginning of Volunteers’ Week 2024 (3-9 June), when Chapter One joins thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK.

For Chapter One, the week is a real celebration of our 2,700 online reading volunteers and the impact they have on the future of young readers all over the UK. Together, they have racked up an incredible 18,000 hours of reading support - meaning they have read with children for a whole two years collectively since last September.

Chapter One's CEO, Emma Bell said: “Volunteers' Week is a chance to celebrate and recognise the fantastic contribution our volunteers make. The stories they share with us about the way they see reading confidence blossom in the children they support each week, are truly inspiring and special. Thank you all SO much!’

What our volunteers say

Our volunteers consistently tell us that giving 30 minutes of their time a week to read with a Chapter One child gives them a sense of wellbeing, reduces their stress levels, boosts their productivity, connects them to their colleagues and fosters a positive attitude to their work and employer.

Other ways we are celebrating Volunteers’ Week 2024 at Chapter One

• We’re hosting an insightful lunchtime webinar on Wednesday 5 June with Governors for Schools demonstrating how, by supporting their people into volunteer roles, employers can work with schools to improve educational outcomes for pupils. Register here.
  
  

• We’re fundraising to expand Chapter One to more schools across London - Chapter One has been selected to participate in The Childhood Trust’s Champions for Children campaign, powered by the Big Give. From 4-18 June, every donation made will be matched until we reach our target of £8,000. Support us.

• We’ll be sharing our recommendations on running a successful employee volunteering scheme on our socials and website
  

Then, to top it all off, on 2 July, as the 2023-24 school year draws to a close, we will be celebrating our volunteers’ individual and collective achievements at our annual Partner, Volunteer and School Recognition Awards, hosted by our Silver Partner Salesforce.