Tamworth volunteer helps children discover a love of reading

Margaret Dalton has been volunteering with Schoolreaders for the past two years, reading with children at a primary school in Tamworth.

Before retiring, Margaret worked in Human Resources, first as Head of HR in the private sector and later as an HR Business Partner in the NHS. Away from Schoolreaders, she is the Safeguarding Officer for her parish, President and Speakers' Secretary of her local WI, a member of a local walking group, and enjoys travelling, skiing and, of course, reading.

Margaret first heard about Schoolreaders after seeing an advert in her local free magazine.

She says:

"I love reading but, as a child, I was a slow reader and having to stand up in class and read aloud made me even worse. It wasn't until secondary school that it clicked, with the encouragement of a friend and finding the books of Jean Plaidy and Georgette Heyer.

"I wanted to help other children who were like me when I was their age to find the wonder of reading, that it's not a chore or something to be feared."

Margaret volunteers one and a half days a week, reading with every class from Year 1 to Year 6. She focuses first on the children who need to read every day before moving on to other reading groups if time allows.

Over the past two years she has seen some wonderful changes in the children she reads with.

"One young girl in Year 3 was, at the beginning of the year, a shy reader - quiet and hesitant. We would discuss the book, which character she liked and why, and what she thought would happen next. Over time she came out of her shell and now she greets me with, 'You wouldn't believe what happened next in the book - I'll tell you when we read.'"

Another child found his reading confidence through talking about something he loved.

"A boy in Year 5 was rather reluctant to read, so we explored what he was interested in and he said football. I explained I didn't know much about football and the last time I followed it was when George Best played for Manchester United - I needed to explain who he was!

"I asked if he could explain who the important players are now and some of the rules. He really lit up and became quite animated. We then went into the library to search for a book within his reading level that had a football theme. Now he's happy to read and asks when it's his turn."

Margaret says she feels very much part of the school community.

"I'm greeted by the children and staff like part of the team rather than a visitor. I chat with the staff at lunchtime in the staff room and teachers are comfortable enough to ask me to help out occasionally if they need another pair of hands. I feel valued and thanked for my help."

For Margaret, it's not just reading ability that improves.

"I believe children who were very quiet, mumbled or skipped difficult words are now more relaxed. They're less daunted and don't shy away from difficult new words, working through them and checking they've got them right. It's lovely to see their confidence grow and for them to become more chatty."

Volunteering has also taught Margaret something.

"The difference a little one-to-one attention can bring to a child. Sometimes they just need someone to listen, to ask questions about what they like, or simply to listen."

When asked what she enjoys most about being a Schoolreaders volunteer, Margaret doesn't hesitate.

"It's the interaction with the children and seeing them grow in confidence. The joy of them wanting to tell you what happened next in the story or asking, 'Are you reading with us today?', 'When is it my turn?', 'I finished my book, did you know?' or 'I've reached 100 reads!'

"They feel comfortable enough to tell me what they've done over the weekend and ask me questions. That's the most rewarding part of being a Schoolreaders volunteer."

Do you have a love of reading to share? If you can spare just an hour a week, you could help to change a child's life-story.

Find out more at Schoolreaders.org/volunteer