Giving young readers a helping hand
Reading for Life is a volunteer employee reading program to help primary school-age children who are having difficulty reading. The program was developed by Unilever’s major not-for-profit partner Learning Links, after Unilever employees cited literacy as one of their greatest community and social concerns.
Employees volunteer to become reading buddies to selected children, then work with the children one-on-one for 45 minutes per week for 15 weeks, enhancing their reading skills, self-esteem and motivation. The semi-structured content is modelled on best practice and was developed by a Learning Links team comprising a psychologist, teacher and speech pathologist. All volunteers are screened, trained and supported by professionals.
Initial evaluations of the program’s success showed gains in the children’s reading accuracy, comprehension and fluency of six to nine months. With an improvement in a child’s literacy skills, overall academic self-esteem improves, leading to improved performance at school, career orientation and expectations for future success.
From humble beginnings of two programs and 20 children, Unilever and Learning Links have expanded the program to other organisations and community groups. Reading for Life is now running in companies such as Rio Tinto, ANZ Bank, Mitchell & Partners, Amcor and Cadbury Schweppes, and by educational bodies including the University of Western Sydney and the University of NSW SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise).
Our goal is to see 10,000 children benefit from this program by 2010, and in doing so find the confidence and opportunities to realise their dreams.
For more information about the program and how to get involved, contact Sarah Clarry at sarah.clarry@unilever.com or Nick Goddard at nick.c.goddard@unilever.com or via telephone +61 (0)2 9869 6100.
