Coram Beanstalk is a national reading charity which recruits, trains and supports volunteers to provide one-to-one reading support to children in primary schools and early years settings.

Very.co.uk and Coram Beanstalk launched the 'Storytime' series shortly after schools closed and the UK went into lockdown due to COVID-19. Keeping the kids busy, entertained and, in many cases, home schooled during this period is a big task facing parents and carers. Reading is hugely powerful for all of us, especially right now, as it provides somewhere to escape to in our imaginations and helps us access the information we need to understand a situation like the current COVID-19 pandemic.

With the help of some famous faces and volunteer reading helpers (https://www.youtube.com/user/verynetwork/videos) our aim was to share some wonderful childrens stories and reach as many children, parents and carers across the UK as we could to encourage home reading through the Storytime sessions.

Sadly, last year a quarter of children didn't meet the expected level of language before they started primary school, 1 in 4 children left primary school not able to read well and a third of students failed to achieve a good grade in English language GCSE or equivalent. This was the situation before COVID-19 hit.

Unfortunately, the pandemic and school closures has meant children, especially the most disadvantaged who needed extra support before, are now at severe risk of falling even further behind. Coram Beanstalk can be there to help.

By taking part in this challenge, we can take on the task to ensure that no child falls further behind and no child goes without the support they need when they return to school. We want every child to leave school with the skills and confidence to reach their true potential and control their own lives rather than being at a disadvantage.

Every child should have a chance live a fulfilled life. Reading makes a difference. Help us make more difference to more childrens lives.