A Valentine’s Day Schoolreaders Story

Did you know that 14^th February  is not just a day for lovebirds, but a day for bookworms too? It is both Valentine’s Day and ‘International Book Giving Day’, so we’re sharing the story of two Schoolreaders Volunteers who know all about long-lasting love and the joys of reading.

Schoolreaders Volunteers Gwen and Peter, both in their eighties and living in Chester, have been married for 57 years.

“We met at a party I gate-crashed in Birmingham where I was teaching and Peter was finishing his post-graduate studies. A few months later we married and moved to Surrey where Peter had his first lecturing post.  Two children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild later we are still together.” Says Gwen.

“Even though we spend so much time together, we have always kept space for our own separate activities and friends – we need these outlets for our sanity and to bring something fresh back to share!”

While they value having separate interests, one commitment they share is volunteering in primary schools, where they spend time each week listening to children read.

Both Gwen and Peter have been volunteering with Schoolreaders for the past 15 months, after hearing about the charity through a talk at their local u3a group. With long careers in education behind them, and a shared belief in the importance of reading, supporting children in schools felt like a natural fit.

Gwen and Peter volunteer in different schools and on different days, so they are able to help twice as many children. Peter volunteers once a week at a small village primary school, working with children in Years 1 and 2. He says the range of reading ability is wide, from children who read almost fluently to those who still need to break words down into individual sounds.

Gwen, meanwhile, volunteers weekly in a different primary school, supporting Year 6 pupils who are reading below the expected level for their age.

For both of them, the experience of being a Schoolreader has been greatly rewarding. Peter enjoys feeling part of the school community, getting to know staff and pupils alike (and being very well supplied with biscuits!). Gwen values the trust placed in her by teachers and the relationships she builds with the children, particularly those who grow in confidence over time.

“I like to think I am making a difference,” says Gwen. “Last year the class teacher was delighted with the improvements in reading scores for the children receiving additional support.” Peter agrees, adding that while every child is different, all of them grow more confident as the weeks go by.

This Valentine’s Day and International Book Giving Day, Gwen and Peter are celebrating not with cards or chocolates, but by giving their time, encouragement and love of books to the next generation of readers - proving that some of the best gifts really are shared.

Find out more about volunteering with Schoolreaders here, and help to spread the love of reading: https://www.schoolreaders.org/volunteer