Claire Woof is a Client Relationship Programme Manager with Deloitte, a Chapter One Platinum Partner. She is paired with a pupil who attends Hill Top Primary, Doncaster. We caught up with her to see how they were getting on.

What motivated you to begin volunteer reading with Chapter One?
Sharing stories with my stepson ignited a passion for fostering a love of reading in young minds. Discovering Chapter One felt like a natural progression, allowing me to contribute to a cause I deeply believe in.

What have you found to be the benefits of online volunteer reading with your student for you personally?
It's incredibly exciting to witness my student's progress each week. Seeing her conquer words that once seemed daunting fills me with a sense of pride. Those calls leave me feeling energised and fulfilled, knowing I'm making a real difference.

And has it helped you to develop professionally in any way?
It's been fantastic for developing essential skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving – all of which are really valuable in my professional life.

How have you found the support from Chapter One?
The team is always there to help with any questions and go the extra mile to make you feel supported. The virtual Meet and Greets that the team organise for you to get to know your student a bit better and share the moment with other volunteers paired with children in the same school are a great way to connect with everyone.

What has been the most noticeable change in your pupil's reading ability or skills?
It's been incredible to see my pupil's reading comprehension soar. While their fluency has definitely improved, the growth in their understanding of the text has been brilliant to observe.

And what about their overall reading confidence and motivation?
I think that finding a rhythm that worked for us both has seen a huge change in confidence for my student. We have some time ‘warming up’ using flashcards and word games before reading and it really works for us.

What aspects of the Chapter One online reading programme do you feel have been most beneficial to your student?
I think that having that consistent half an hour each week with one-on-one time has been really beneficial to her. We both look forward to it and make sure that we have a fun and engaging session.

What would you say to anyone thinking of signing up to volunteer?
Go for it! You won’t look back!

How can companies get involved in Chapter One?

Chapter One’s virtual, time-efficient, flexible model for volunteering will enhance your company’s employee value proposition, whilst fulfilling CSR or social value commitments around education, social mobility and inclusion. Employees can:

- volunteer online directly from their desks with no travel

- make a direct impact on the lives of children from disadvantaged communities

- support local communities across the UK

- improve their own well-being by helping others

- reconnect with your company’s social purpose

If you’re interested in joining us, we’d love to hear from you! You’ll find out who we currently work with on our partners’ page. You can contact us here or email sarah.taylor@chapterone.org.