Currently in the UK, more than seven million adults struggle with basic reading every day. Eight children in an average class leave primary school unable to read well. These children will face challenges for the rest of their education, and beyond into the working world. At Bright Network, our mission is to support the next generation to succeed as the workforce of tomorrow. That’s why we’re delighted to announce a new partnership with Bookmark, as we work together to support literacy in UK schools.

Bookmark’s volunteers provide extra reading support to primary school children through a six-week programme, delivered online or face-to-face in schools. Their work has a significant impact on helping tackle the literacy challenges the UK is currently facing. Last year, they delivered more than 4,000 reading sessions, with three quarters of participating children improving their reading confidence. As we deal with the impact of COVID-19 school closures on literacy and the education gap, children will need their support more than ever.

With this new partnership, Bright Network aims to support Bookmark’s work by encouraging our 350,000+ members (current undergraduates and recent graduates) to volunteer to be part of these programmes. This will enable university students to make a real difference by helping school children develop their skills, whilst also gaining experience and boosting their own employability during this difficult time.

James Uffindell, CEO & Founder of Bright Network said: “Bookmark is a brilliant organisation and we’re proud to partner with them. Our aim is to give students the best start to their careers and ensure young people from all backgrounds flourish. Not only does this partnership allow us to offer an incredible opportunity for current members to volunteer and improve their skillsets, but it will also have meaningful impact for generations to come.”

Kitty Higgins, CEO of Bookmark said: “We are absolutely delighted to have the support of Bright Network, who share our commitment to giving all young people the best possible start in life.  Their pool of members will be fantastic mentors for our young programme participants, who benefit hugely from attention from diverse role models. We also know that our flexible volunteering programme works brilliantly for students or young professionals who often have busy or inconsistent schedules.”