Volunteer - help2read

CHANGE THE LIFE OF A CHILD, FOREVER

Join us in giving the life-changing gift of literacy; volunteer your time as a Reading Helper!

WHY VOLUNTEER

Teaching a child to read can change their life and yours, forever.

When you volunteer as a Reading Helper, you’re equipping children with a life-long skill that will help them get the most out of their schooling. The ripple effects of your effort include tackling unemployment, breaking the cycle of poverty, and upholding democracy. Wow – talk about a return on investment!

Volunteering is bound to have a big impact on you, too!

VOLUNTEER NOW

Here are a few more reasons why we think you should get involved:

Discover your strengths and talents
Grow in confidence
Develop new skills
Make new friends
Feel more valued & motivated

HOW IT WORKS

TRAINING

The full-day workshop covers everything you need to know to volunteer as a Help2read Reading Champion. The price per person is R1500, groups of fifteen or more people is R1250 per person and groups of 30 people or more is R650 per person.

RESOURCES

We will arm you with a box filled to the brim with exciting literacy resources, from books to stationery and games.

PLACEMENT

You will then be placed at a nearby primary school that hosts a help2read programme.

SUPPORT

Our friendly help2read Support Workers will visit you regularly to provide you with expert advice, encouragement and general support for your learner reading sessions.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

Before we get you started as a Reading Helper, we need to ensure that you meet our volunteer requirements.

Committed to helping children
Able to speak, write and read English proficiently
Available for at least an hour twice a week (usually during school hours)

Undergo a criminal background check
Have a Matric Certificate & over the age of 18 year’s old
Sign a code of practice to ensure the utmost level of child protection

SHARE YOUR LOVE FOR READING WITH THE NEXT GENERATION

VOLUNTEER NOW

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I’m unemployed and looking for work. Can I volunteer?

If you can commit to a minimum of six months, we would love for you to join our team of volunteer Reading Helpers. Your commitment ensures that the children you assist receive consistent and regular reading support.

If you are likely to gain employment that will not allow you to continue to volunteer, we advise that you get involved in help2read in other ways. Get in touch with us to discuss how you can volunteer at help2read.

How can I volunteer if I work full time?

If you work full time, you can still get involved at help2read! Many of our volunteers negotiate with their employers, enabling them to take time off to volunteer. Some volunteers volunteer first thing in the morning at a school nearby or on their way to work, while others assist children during their lunch hour.

If these options don’t work for you, consider getting involved at help2read by fundraising, donating your professional skills or assisting with other help2read projects. Get in touch with us to chat about these options further.

I’d like to help but don’t think I have enough time?

If you can commit an hour of your time twice a week, you can volunteer as a Reading Helper! You can also decide the time of your reading sessions, as long as they take place during school hours.

Why do volunteers work with children individually?

Our one-on-one model ensures each child receives individual attention and support catered for their needs. For many of the children that we work with, the reading sessions are the only time they spend one-on-one with an adult role model. The individual attention also helps the children to feel confident enough to express themselves and attempt to read.

Can we give the child a gift or reward?

We do not encourage gifts. Once the learner graduates from the programme, they receive a certificate. We believe that spending time with an interested adult and having access to the exciting resources that the programme provides is a positive experience and gift on its own.

I want to volunteer at help2read. Can I choose the school I go to?

We encourage you to choose a school close to where you live or work for your convenience. If you wish to choose a school where help2read is not currently active, you may have to wait longer to start volunteering.