Today is the beginning of Volunteers’ Week 2025 (2-8 June), when Chapter One joins thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK.

For Chapter One, the week is a real celebration of our nearly 3,000 online reading volunteers and the impact they have on the future of young readers all over the UK. Together, they have racked up an incredible 21,000 hours of reading support - meaning they have read with children for a whole two and a half years collectively since last September. And we’re well on track to achieve our 2024-25 reading hours target of 25,000 hours.

The difference our online reading volunteers make each week is transformative, and the sense of achievement children feel about reading with them is palpable. As one child said recently about her her weekly session: “When we finish with our reading, I feel marvellous”

Chapter One's CEO, Emma Bell said: “Volunteers' Week is a chance to celebrate and recognise the fantastic contribution our volunteers make. The stories they share with us about the way they see reading confidence blossom in the children they support each week, are truly inspiring and special. Thank you all SO much!’