TRAINED reading helpers are supporting children across Wirral in nurseries and pre-schools in a bid to turn them into confident readers.

The new 'Story Starters' programme has been rolled out across Wirral in places such as Moreton, Wallasey, Prenton, Tranmere and Eastham with a total of 20 Story Starter helpers in the borough.

The project involves volunteers from local community visiting youngsters between the ages of three and five twice a week to help them become ready to read.

One of the first Story Starters in the area, Isobel has been working with the programme since December 2017. 

Isobel supports three pre-schoolers, two times a week for 20 minutes at a time. 

Wirral Globe:

Isobel was one of the first Story Starter volunteers in Wirral

She told the Globe: “I retired at the end of August 2017 and I wanted to continue to lead a purposeful life that provided a new direction and a sense of achievement.

"I have always enjoyed reading with children and helping them to develop not only their appreciation of books and stories, but also their language skills, their imagination and their own sense of being.

"I researched voluntary reading organisations and became interested in the support that Beanstalk provides.

"The best bit about volunteering as a Story Starter is witnessing the children’s engagement and seeing their shyness disappear as they develop their confidence.

"It is a slow process, but worthwhile.

"One of the three children I support is painfully shy, and cannot enunciate very well.

"Last week she managed to say the word ‘referee’ very clearly (we were reading Peppa Plays Football).

"She always tries to say new words, and I praise her every time.

"The Teaching Assistant reported that she is really benefitting from the one-to-one support that she receives.

"They are all accepting of the time we spend together.

"I go into the nursery’s main room at the appointed times, and to date, each child has willingly left the activity they have been engaged in, and come with me.

"I have a selection of four books laid out, and they choose which story they would like.

"If you have an affinity with young children, enjoy reading and interacting with very young children, then the Story Starter role provides an ideal platform to put your abilities to good use."

The programme is supported by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, LuCid and national children's literacy charity Beanstalk which recruits, trains and supports volunteers to work one-to-one with children aged three to 13.

Area manager for Beanstalk in the North West, Christine Braithwaite said: “Beanstalk is thrilled to have our first Story Starter volunteers making such a positive impact in Wirral and across Merseyside.

"We know how important it is for children in the early years of their education to receive support with their language development, as this enables them to start primary school ready to read and able to thrive.

"It is really worrying to hear recent figures that the proportion of toddlers being read to every day is in decline - a significant threat to child development.

"We are now seeking more people to come forward as volunteers and we have our next Story Starters training and selection day coming up so please get in touch with Beanstalk if you would like to volunteer and change the lives of children in the community.”

The programme is on the look out for more volunteers across schools in the North West.

To find out more about becoming a Story Starter volunteer or a reading helper in a local primary school visit www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk, call Beanstalk on 0845 450 0307 or email info@beanstalkcharity.org.uk