Children in Warrington primary schools have started receiving weekly 30-minute online reading sessions through Chapter One's unique Online Reading Volunteers Programme, joining the nationwide drive to get more children reading as part of the National Year of Reading 2026.

Corporate volunteers, sponsored by their employers, are using Chapter One's bespoke online platform to deliver reading support to struggling 5-8 year olds across the area. The programme builds confidence and sparks a love for reading at a crucial stage in children's development.

The launch is being supported by major employers with a presence in the region: Amentum, AXIOM Joint Venture, Cavendish Nuclear, DBD International, Mott MacDonald and Sellafield Ltd, with children at Cinnamon Brow CofE Primary School and Evelyn Street Primary Academy and Nursery now benefiting from weekly reading sessions. The Warrington launch comes at a pivotal moment as the government’s National Year of Reading 2026 gets underway - a landmark initiative to transform reading culture and recruit 100,000 new volunteers nationwide. As a lead delivery partner for the campaign, Chapter One is mobilising businesses to step up and meet the moment by supporting their programme.

Emma Bell, CEO of Chapter One, said: "The National Year of Reading provides a crucial opportunity to mobilise businesses and communities to support children's literacy and we're proud to bring our programme to Warrington as part of this movement. Consistent, one-to-one support at this age can be transformative. We see children's reading improve week by week, but just as importantly, we see them gain confidence and start to genuinely enjoy reading."

Esther Thirlwall, Class 2 Teacher, and Katie Pendlebury, Class 3/4 Teacher, at Evelyn Street Primary Academy and Nursery said: "We are really excited to be able to provide support for the pupils in our school, who do not always get the opportunity to practise their reading at home. The programme sounds wonderful and underpins all of our objectives in ensuring that every pupil can read and enjoys reading.”

Get involved

Chapter One is still looking for additional businesses to join the programme. For more information, contact hellouk@chapterone.org.