Every child a reader
We pair volunteer mentors with East London children who struggle to read — one hour a week, one child at a time.
Get involvedOur mission
Reading changes everything that comes after it
In Tower Hamlets and Hackney, too many children reach the end of primary school unable to read with confidence — and the gap only widens from there. A child who can't read by seven is at real risk of falling behind for good.
We match trained volunteer reading mentors with children who need a little extra time and attention. One hour a week, one-to-one, inside their own school. It's simple, it's patient, and it works.
Stories & reports
Updates from the schools, libraries and mentors at the heart of our work.
Mentor spotlight: Marcus, year 2 of volunteering
Marcus mentored his first child two years ago. He's still going. Here's what he's learned about patience, books and what children need.
15 June 2026
Summer reading scheme 2025: results from our six libraries
87 children attended this summer. Average reading age gain was 4 months over six weeks. Here's what worked and what we're changing next year.
14 June 2026
Choosing the right book: how our mentors do it
The book has to be right — challenging enough to matter, engaging enough to work. Here's how our mentors approach the choice.
13 June 2026
Ways to help
Every reader we reach depends on people who give their time, their support, or their voice.
Become a mentor
Give one hour a week to read with a child who needs you — full training and ongoing support included.
Fund a child
Your gift covers books, training and a year of weekly one-to-one mentoring for a child who's fallen behind.
Bring us to a school
Help us reach more classrooms across Tower Hamlets and Hackney by connecting us with your local primary.
£25 gives a child a year of weekly reading
Our 240 mentors help children gain an average of 2.4 years of reading age in a single year. Your support keeps that hour going, week after week.