Swansea Teens urged to volunteer as reading mentors

VOLUNTEERS are being urged to sign up to lend a hand to hundreds of youngsters, who are setting their hearts on joining in Swansea’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Young people aged 15 to 21, could be mentors this summer in Swansea libraries, to children aged up to 14, who will be taking part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – ‘Record Breakers’.

Last year record numbers of Swansea youngsters took part in the challenge, which boosts literacy in the city, by opening up the world of books to youngsters and rewarding their reading with fun and prizes.

This year youngsters are being encouraged to lose themselves in lots of lovely books, by joining the challenge at their local library. Every time the children finish a book, they get stickers and rewards, and if they complete the challenge they receive a certificate and medal.

Jen Raynor, Cabinet Member for Education, said this year the council is on the hunt for older children and students to help out in the reading challenge.

She said: “Last year’s reading challenge was such a great success that we’re expecting even more children to rise to the occasion this summer. We’re looking for enthusiastic older children to share their love of reading and books and get the younger ones interested too.

“It’s a great opportunity and this kind of volunteering will look great on CVs whether it’s a job application or an application for a university or college place.

“It’s also a great way for older children and students to contribute to their local communities.”

Volunteers would need to be available for around 29 hours over the summer period and able to attend a series of four-hour reading sessions, sometimes in the evening or at weekends.

Their role would be to promote reading and books to children, work on devising marketing materials which would appeal to their younger peers, and help out with activities taking part in the libraries over the summer holidays.

Application forms can be found online at www.swansea.gov.uk/libraries or by picking a form up at your local library or you can call 01792 636464.

Cllr Raynor said: “It’s just one of the initiatives taking place in Swansea to encourage youngsters to read, listen and talk. It’s a bit of fun that should make a big difference to how well they get on at school.”

The challenge starts in July and runs until September to give families plenty of time to visit the library at least three times during the summer holiday to gain stickers and prizes.

The 5 to 11 year olds have to read at least six books during the summer and visit their library at least three times, and the Teen Challenge, for the 11 to 14 year olds have to read at least three books, and again visit the library three times. There’s even a special Bookstart Challenge for the under 5’s who have to read at least four books.

Any type of library books will count in the challenge, whether they’re fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels or audio books.

If you or your child has not got a library card, it’s free and easy to get one. Just ask at your local library or by calling Library Line on 01792 636464.