Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups.
“It’s been a life-changing experience. Last week I read a book to my grandson. I never read to my children because I couldn’t.”
Peter, from Read Easy Poole
Read Easy groups are changing the lives of individual adults across the country by providing them with the support they need to learn to read, and in turn opening doors for them to all sorts of new opportunities in life. You can tap here to learn more about the difference Read Easy makes on their website.
What you'll be doing as a Volunteer Reading Coach:
- Developing the literacy skills of an adult Reader who has difficulty with reading.
- Meeting with your Reader for two separate half hour sessions each week face to face in an approved venue or remotely on a video call or a combination of both.
- Providing non-judgemental literacy support to your Reader.
- Utilising your empathy and understanding to support your Reader.
- Delivering the phonics based Turning Pages programme with guidance for coaches on every page and using other approved resources.
- Keeping records of your meetings.
- Liaising with your allocated Coordinator and Literacy Specialist.
- Attending Coach meetings approximately every two months.
- Working within Read Easy policies and procedures.
What skills Read Easy are looking for:
- Confident reading skills.
- Clear communicator.
- Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding whilst maintaining boundaries.
- Ability to talk and listen to the person you coach in a patient, positive, encouraging and purposeful way.
- A non-judgemental attitude and a positive respect for others, regardless of abilities, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or age.
- Ability to focus on your Reader and their needs.
- Ability to work alone, seeking support when necessary.
- Reliability, consistency, and an ability to handle disappointment.
- A commitment to maintain confidentiality and volunteer within Read Easy’s guidelines and policies.
- Willingness to commit to the required training.
- Ability to utilise the Zoom meeting platform to attend remote coach training.
- Ability and confidence to use a computer to access documents online, or the willingness to learn to do so.
What's in it for you:
- You'll be provided with outstanding Initial Coach training in two sessions before you commence coaching, each lasting three hours.
- A supported induction period at the commencement of coaching.
- Consolidation training once you've been coaching for a couple of weeks, again in two sessions each lasting three hours.
- Working with other enthusiastic volunteers to change the lives of the individuals you support.
- Regular support from the group Coordinator.
- Literacy support from the group Literacy Specialist.
- Repayment of agreed expenses for travel and parking.
When you've finished:
The completion of the Turning Pages manuals will mark the end of your coaching sessions with your new Reader and will be celebrated by a presentation of certificates.
You'll have a discussion with your Reader to gather feedback about the difference learning to read has made to their lives. Your Reader will be offered the opportunity to access the free Touch Type Read Spell resources to further their learning and you can speak to your Coordinator about coaching another Reader if you'd like to.
Interested?
If you think you can offer the time, skills, and experience that Read Easy are looking for and would be interested in taking up this rewarding role, please contact Sandra, Read Easy's Bolton and District Volunteer Recruiter using: bodirecruiter@readeasy.org.uk .
Please note: all Read Easy volunteer roles are subject Safer Recruitment procedures which include verification of identity and two references. This role also requires an Enhanced without barring DBS Check (in line with DBS Code of Practice).
Read Easy are often looking for people with various skills and experience to join them. If you'd like to know more about the other roles they currently have available, please tap here to visit the Read Easy website or get in touch using the email address above.
