Sellafield and partners helping children write their own future

A life-changing new reading programme launched by the Programme and Project Partners at Sellafield and its supply chain has seen 111 volunteers step up to support primary school age children in West Cumbria.

Using an innovative and secure digital platform from reading charity Chapter One, each volunteer is paired with a child who they will spend the next year supporting.

The initiative has so far been rolled out at:

• Ellenborough Academy
• Northside Primary School
• Kells Infant School
• Broughton Moor Primary School,
• St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
• Flimby Primary School

Luke Richardson, Programme and Project Partners head of social impact, said:

A child who can read is set up for life, not just because they do better at school and have better job prospects, but because they are happier and more confident.

Government statistics show 1 in 5 children don’t have a book of their own at home, and 1 in 3 children from disadvantaged backgrounds aren’t able to read at the required level, we’re now hoping to change this using the power of our partnership at Sellafield.

Our reading programme, with the support of local schools, is already seeing our volunteers paired with children, aged between 5 to 7 years old, who need vital reading practice.

They meet for 30 minutes every week, during the school day to read stories and play games that build fluency, comprehension and, most importantly, foster reading confidence and enjoyment."

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