Long service volunteer awards 2026

Judith Goldsmith received a five-year Long Service Award for her work at St Joseph’s Primary School in Headington. Inspired to volunteer after helping her Year One grandson learn to read during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Judith joined ARCh to help children whose education had been disrupted by the pandemic.

Despite having no teaching background, she says she simply brings “grandma experience” to the role, supporting and encouraging older pupils with the same warmth and patience she shows her own grandchildren. “I just use my status as a grandma, not a parent or a teacher, to support and encourage children” she said. 

Christine Mather has volunteered at Carswell Primary School in Abingdon for the past five years. “I have loved reading all my life, and I wanted to try and share this with children,“ said Christine.

A lifelong reader, Christine joined ARCh after retiring during the pandemic, wanting to pass on her love of books to children.

Working with Year Two pupils, she has enjoyed watching reluctant readers grow in confidence and begin to discover the joy of stories.

“It has been wonderful to see the children who sometimes struggle, for various reasons either through lack of confidence, or difficulty with reading, and see them blossom into readers, particularly to see them pointing out things they have found interesting or amusing, and making jokes, laughing and using their own imagination about what we have read.  That’s what it’s all about!” she said.

Sheila Richards was recognised for five years of volunteering at Stanton Harcourt Primary School. After retiring from a career in healthcare and moving to Oxfordshire, Sheila completed ARCh’s online training during the pandemic and has been supporting children ever since.

Working with pupils through reading and games, she has seen first-hand how encouragement can transform confidence. “I find that by providing words of encouragement and helping the children to focus, they become more confident and more willing to try to read new books and attempt new games,” she said. “By the end of each year I see definite progress.”

Julie Roberts has spent five years reading with children at Hanborough Manor Primary School. Having retired from a career as a contract accountant, Julie was looking for a way to give something back to her local community.

Although she had never worked with children before, she says volunteering with ARCh has been both enjoyable and rewarding. “It is very rewarding to see how the children grow in confidence and develop over the year,” she said. ”I am looking forward to the next five years!”

Lesley Conn has volunteered with ARCh for five years, currently at St Joseph’s Primary School in Thame and previously at Wheatley Primary School.

After more than 40 years working for the NHS, Lesley wanted to continue doing something meaningful in retirement. She says watching children’s confidence grow has been incredibly rewarding. “I absolutely love spending time with the children and watching their confidence grow and their personalities open up,” she said. “I hope to be volunteering with ARCh for many years to come.”

Rena Kelly was presented with a five-year Long Service Award for her work at Brookside Primary School in Bicester. Having experienced her own difficulties with reading and speech as a child, Rena understands the difference encouragement can make.

Drawing on her experience as a hairdresser and college tutor, she enjoys helping children build confidence through reading, games and conversation. “I learn a lot from the children- they keep me up to date, latest books, words even fashion!” she said “I get a lot of satisfaction that I have helped the children. Going to Brookside School I feel part of the team when its busy teachers say hello.”

Sophie Mavor received a 15-year Long Service Award for volunteering at Rose Hill Primary School, having previously supported children at Orchard Meadow Primary School.

Sophie first discovered ARCh through a poster in Oxford’s Westgate Library and immediately felt it was the perfect opportunity to combine her love of books with helping children.

Over the years she has used puppets, games, maps and imaginative activities to build children’s confidence and make reading fun. “Reading with ARCh continues to be a pleasure,” she said. “I’m looking forward to doing it all again in September.”

Pauline Carter has dedicated 15 years to volunteering with ARCh, currently at Hailey Primary School and previously at Madley Brook Primary School in Witney.

A former secondary school teacher, Pauline saw how poor reading skills could affect every aspect of a child’s education and was determined to help.

Throughout her retirement she has encouraged hundreds of children to discover the enjoyment of books. “I have loved showing so many children that reading can be a fun activity and have delighted in seeing them enjoy reading stories for themselves and sometimes hearing that they have gone to the library to get another book by an author they have enjoyed,” she said.  “It has been a rewarding way of spending over fifteen years of my retirement.”

A special highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the Christopher Quinton Award to David Jones, who has volunteered with ARCh for 12 years at St John’s Primary School in Wallingford.

The award, named in memory of Christopher Quinton, whose support was instrumental in helping establish ARCh in 2008, recognises volunteers who have gone above and beyond their role.

Alongside his weekly reading sessions, David has championed the charity through press and media work, writing press releases and starring in ARCh’s promotional video.

Speaking after receiving the award, David said volunteering had given him “a priceless opportunity to invest in the community” while inspiring children to discover a love of reading. “ I have an passion for reading and a love of books which I can pass on to children to inspire them to discover or rediscover the pleasure and rewards reading brings. Being an ARCh reading volunteer allows me to engage regularly with younger members of the community which in turn improves their self-confidence and teaches important lifestyle skills.”

Reflecting on one recent success, he shared that a Year 6 pupil he had supported throughout the year had passed their English SATs “with marks to spare”.

He added: “I’ve read with, played games with and shared jokes with somewhere between 45 and 50 children over the last decade – and I’ve loved every minute. I’m proud and privileged to receive the Christopher Quinton Award.”