Emma Coles

Oxford City Council employee

“It’s fantastic to step away from my desk and go to do something completely different. I come back to work feeling refreshed and invigorated.”

What was it that made you want to be a reading helper and volunteer?

I became aware of the fantastic work ARCh do through my job, the more I found out the more inspired I was to become a volunteer. Hearing about the impact that ARCh and it’s volunteers have on the children they work with, not only on improving their literacy but helping to build confidence and self-esteem encouraged me to look into how I could become a volunteer. It was also understanding the importance of the work that ARCh do especially following the impact of Covid on children’s education.

What do you enjoy most about your reading sessions?

I have really enjoyed getting to know the children that I read with, finding out what their interests are, understanding the children’s different learning styles and tailoring our time together around them. It’s not just about the reading, we also talk about the books we are reading, I’m learning lots about space and nebulas!

What do your reading sessions involve?

As a company volunteer I read with 2 children for half an hour once a week. We start our sessions with an activity for 5 minutes, it could be a game, a word search or a crossword, we then read for 20 minutes and finish our session together with similar activities as we started with.

How do your reading sessions fit in with your work life balance?

My workplace has a volunteering policy in place which provides 2 days of volunteer time per year and has allowed me to become a company volunteer for ARCh. Whilst the policy doesn’t cover an entire school year of volunteering I have negotiated with my employer that I will cover the rest of the hours in my own time but with working from home and the school being round the corner this is easy to do.

What impact has being a volunteer for ARCh had on you?

I have benefitted greatly from becoming an ARCh volunteer, I look forward to my Friday morning sessions, it’s fantastic to step away from my desk and go to do something completely different. I come back to work feeling refreshed and invigorated. Volunteering for ARCh provides you with a great feeling, hopefully benefitting the children and making a difference. It has been lovely to hear from teachers that the children really enjoy their time with me.

Would you recommend others volunteer for ARCh? Why?

I would definitely recommend people becoming a company volunteer for ARCh, being able to be a small part of the children’s educational journey is something I am honoured to be involved with. Also the amazing support that you receive from ARCh from the training you get before you start volunteering to the support you receive from your field worker whilst you are; as well as the fantastic box of books and games you are provided with.