At the heart of our online reading sessions are the dedicated laptops and headsets that we provide for all participating classrooms. For the entire academic year, up to 10 children per class use these laptops to access our bespoke online platform and enjoy a 30 minute one-to-one reading session with their dedicated volunteer. The success of our programme model hinges on our laptops, headsets and LAN adapters functioning well and being robust enough to withstand the attention of many small hands on a daily basis. We need to replace/upgrade equipment, along with providing equipment to the new classrooms that join us each year; an estimated 100 during 2023-24.
Fundraising target: £10,000, for 25 new hardware sets
Alongside the library of online stories that children use to practise their reading during their Chapter One sessions, we've developed a set of easy-to-play, simple literacy games to build key skills. We currently have five games which in addition to developing skills, help to engage more reluctant and shy readers and to maintain concentration levels throughout the sessions. The games are a real highlight for many children and we would love to develop a new game to help keep the platform fresh and exciting.
Fundraising target: £22,000, to develop one new game
Our online library of stories is central to our programme and the focus of the reading support that we provide. Over 3,000 children will read stories from our library of 250 texts next academic year. We would like to develop new stories that both represent the diverse communities that we work in and align with the very latest guidance from the Department for Education. New titles would also be available to read from our Global Free Library, a free and inspiring resource for children and families that celebrates the world's diversity.
Fundraising target: £12,000 to produce four new stories
At the end of each year we organise a reading celebration for each of our participating classes. This heart-warming, congratulatory event is a chance for the volunteers and children to meet face-to-face, often for the first time. At the event, each volunteer presents their child with a personal activity book, full of stories and word games, so that they can continue to explore the wonder of reading over the summer holidays. We would like to create a new version for the next school year and the 3,000 children that we will support.
Fundraising target: £6,000 to produce 3,000 books
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