A CHARITY is looking for volunteers to boost the reading skills of children in Blackheath and Rowley Regis in the hope of changing their life chances.

Beanstalk has existing school vacancies in the towns and is also looking for new schools to support in Halesowen.

Its recruitment and training executive, Nikki Driscoll, said: “Last year one in eight children in Sandwell left primary school unable to read to the required level, something that will have devastating consequences on their future prospects.”

The charity’s checked and resourced reading helpers work with reluctant readers on a one-to-one basis, giving them consistent support to improve their reading levels and increase their confidence and enjoyment of reading.

They work with three children for 30 minutes each twice a week during school time.

Volunteer Louise Thomas, who has been helping children at Blackheath Primary School since last September, said: “As well as witnessing my readers growing in confidence, I have been astounded at how rewarding the experience has been for me.”

Two afternoons of 90 minutes volunteering fits in well with Miss Thomas’s part-time work as a railway signal engineer and as well as reading books, she encourages the children to play word games such as hangman.

Visit www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk to complete an application form or email Nicola.driscoll@beanstalkcharity.org.uk or call 07540 703487 to find out more.