Housing Workers Put The Magic Back Into School Reading

A Wednesbury primary school is benefiting from a community project with housing workers getting back into the classroom to put their natural teaching skills to the test.

Year four and five pupils at Holyhead primary school are being given one-to-one reading lessons with staff from Black Country Housing Group (BCHG), who volunteered to work with the children.

The Reading Volunteer Project is organised by Sandwell MBC and Sandwell Education Business Partnership. It gives young pupils the opportunity of reading aloud, and housing professionals are now enjoying anything from the magical Harry Potter to the imaginative My Dad the Hero.

Elemay Parkes, Director of Community Regeneration at BCHG said: “Regular volunteer reading is giving our colleagues a rewarding opportunity to give something back to the community.

“After Sandwell MBC approached us and asked if we’d like to take part in its Reading Volunteer Project, I had no shortage of volunteers willing to give their time to help the young people in our community.

“Giving children individual support has allowed staff here to monitor their reading development over the last few weeks, and in most cases there has been significant improvement, proving the project a success already.”

Dr Tony James, Head Teacher of Holyhead Primary School, said: “It is excellent to have the community on board in helping to encourage our young people to learn.

“The children benefit from interacting with adults from another profession, as well as being given extra time to practice their reading skills. Their confidence and communication skills have really been boosted as a result of learning with these volunteers.”

Cllr Ian Jones, Sandwell MBC’s Cabinet Member for Education said: “This is a great example of a local business making strong links with the community.

“Improving education standards and working with partners are key priorities for the authority, so we are delighted to see BCHG getting involved with the Reading Volunteer Project.”

BCHG specialises in urban renewal, economic and social regeneration, through building new affordable homes, providing care and health services to communities, and providing advice to escape financial exclusion.

 The group is landlord to tenants in more than 1700 homes across the West Midlands and has over 30 years experience in providing quality homes and support services for families, couples, single people, older people and those with special needs.