Reading paying dividends

National Volunteer Week will provide a regional youth, careers and business support agency with an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and milestones of a reading program.

Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network will celebrate its long-established Reading Buddies program during the week, from May 20 to 26.

The network, which covers a vast area of western Victoria, developed and established Reading Buddies with support from regional primary schools in 2012.

On May 20, the Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN will host a ‘come and try’ morning tea at Redrock Books in Horsham for people interested in volunteering as a ‘buddy’.

Network project officer Vanessa O’loughlin said the organisation supported schools in recognising that if children failed to master basic literacy and reading skills at primary school, they were at an increased risk of disengagement in secondary school.

She said the network worked closely with schools to recruit volunteers who committed

“There are many examples of a child who has started school developmentally vulnerable and has been supported to close the learning gap with their peers” – Vanessa O’loughlin

time out of their week to listen one-on-one to students while they read.

She added Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN had been involved with more than 40 volunteers, corporate employee programs, 14 reading programs and two program specific awards.

“By far the most satisfying outcome has been the impact extra reading support has had for the children,” she said.

“There are many examples of a child who has started school developmentally vulnerable and has been supported to close the learning gap with their peers.”

More details about the ‘come and try’ morning tea are on Facebook page www.facebook.com/ reading-buddies/events, or by calling Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN on 5381 0122.