Coram Beanstalk is proud to be a lead delivery partner for The National Year of Reading 2026!

Volunteers
Schools
Donate
Home  ›  Liaising with volunteers

Liaising with volunteers

Supporting your reading helper

A Coram Beanstalk reading helper has had training and full safer recruitment checks before beginning in school, they can also access a wide range of resources, support and further development from us. They are ready to deliver their sessions independently and have an understanding that the school environment is busy, with minimal time for staff engagement. By following the tips below you can avoid common frustrations to ensure that sessions are delivered as expected and communication is in place, helping volunteers to know that their time is needed and used effectively. 

Establish communication

Let your reading helper know your preferred way to communicate and when it’s best to do so. Set up points during the year where you can make time for a catch up with your reading helper. We’d recommend a check in every half-term to keep things on track. 

Welcome

Make your reading helper feel welcomed in the school. No need to overthink this; a simple smile goes a long way!

Give context

A summary on why children are chosen and any relevant background will help reading helpers know how best to help.

“I feel that I could be more effective in my role if there was some involvement with the class teachers – feedback both ways, suggestions, some information about the children.”

Reading Helper, 2025 Volunteer Survey

“I find the support and guidance I am receiving from both Coram and School is encouraging and boosting my confidence. I am adapting, developing and learning the best way to fulfil my role.”

Reading Helper, 2025 Volunteer Survey

Keep books safe

Allocate an area for books to be kept, ensure they stay there and staff know that they are for the reading helpers.

Designate space

Reserve a table and two chairs, somewhere that people pass by, but ideally not too noisy for use by reading helpers. 

Allow children to attend sessions

Make sure class teachers know when children have their weekly sessions and ensure they are available at the right times. If a child is absent it is fine to ask your reading helper to work with another child that day – there’s usually a sea of hands up to choose from!

“The school appreciate that I am independent, but it sometimes feels like they have forgotten about me.  I went in one afternoon, set up, only to find that the children were going out for the afternoon and no one had told me. I always read the weekly newsletter but this wasn’t in it.”

Reading Helper, 2025 Volunteer Survey

“The teaching staff are helpful and fully understand and appreciate my role. I began working with three year two pupils, since then one has progressed sufficiently and has been replaced with another child. When I was informed of the change I was thanked for my input by the class teacher “

Reading Helper, 2025 Volunteer Survey

Brief school staff

Use the resources we provide to brief all school staff, remembering to also inform new starters as they begin. If staff do not know how our service works they can inadvertandly disrupt sessions leaving a volunteer in an awkward position that can result in them leaving.

Update

Inform about upcoming changes that may impact their weekly sessions, and if children change let them know why.

Appreciate

Finally we know you can’t say thank you every day, but when you get chance make time to do so – it’ll make their day!

Any queries call 0207 729 4087 or email: support@corambeanstalk.org.uk

You can find resources to share with school staff and other downloads here

Cookies on our website

We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d also like to use cookies to understand how people use the site so we can improve it, and to see how well our volunteering and fundraising campaigns are doing.

We won’t set these unless you say yes. Read our cookie policy.