'Big Read' Library Volunteers Report Back

A group of our pupils recently volunteered for the Summer Reading Challenge's 'Big Friendly Read' scheme. Fourth year pupils Caragh Shaw and Meridith Womble-Lancaster kindly filed the following excellent report:

"Over the summer, four Bablake pupils - Ashley, Jauvan and ourselves, Caragh and Meridith - took part in a volunteering scheme arranged via our local libraries and the council. We helped young children - some as young as two years old - become more involved in reading, which required story or rhyme times and craft sessions.

A major factor of the scheme was to encourage children to read more and the theme this year was Roald Dahl, celebrating the 100 year anniversary of his birth. This meant all the craft sessions were based on books such as 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and 'George’s Marvellous Medicine'.

We created origami foxes, massive crocodiles and a dream jar with the children. Other activities included helping children with hunting for Dahl’s characters around the library and setting up displays. We also helped at the issue desk, when the library was especially busy.

We thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and Ashley spoke for all of us when she said: 'I loved helping all the little kids'. We gained a lot of social and practical skills that we are sure will assist us for the future. We also enjoyed helping children discover the advantages of being a keen reader and creative.

After the six weeks of volunteering, a medal ceremony took place to celebrate the achievement of the children who completed the Summer Reading Challenge. We handed out medals as the Lord Mayor and local councillors congratulated the children and discussed their achievement with their parents. The library staff were very thankful for the help and asked if would volunteer again in the future. As a token of thanks from the council, we proudly received a certificate and reference for future work.

We all completely enjoyed the experience and hope to do it again in the future, maybe even next summer!"

Photograph of our girls with Lord Mayor Lindsley Harvard and Councillor Kevin Maton, cabinet member for education, submitted by councillor Rachel Lancaster.