20/02/12..Volunteers inspire reluctant readers

EVEN in a prosperous area like Oxfordshire there are many children who have trouble reading and a group of volunteers is making a huge difference to the reading levels of reluctant and struggling readers here in Thame schools.

But they need more willing volunteers to come forward to help them expand the service throughout the county. ARCh (Assisted Reading for Children in Oxfordshire, help children who have lost confidence because they?ve fallen behind, others who may be shy and don?t communicate well, some who have missed out on the development of vital skills in early childhood, children who may have difficulty concentrating, some who don?t speak English at home and others who just need a boost to help them catch up.

What do the volunteers do?

They help in a primary school for 1