Award-winning Oxfordshire charity leads the way for National Year of Reading

Could you join the ARCh charity champions and volunteer to help Oxfordshire children read with confidence? 

2026 has been officially designated the National Year of Reading – a nationwide initiative to improve literacy and foster a lifelong love of books among children.

At the heart of this effort is Oxfordshire’s award-winning charity, Assisted Reading for Children (ARCh) which works with primary schools across the county to help every child become a confident reader. 

As a delivery partner for the National Year of Reading, ARCh is turning national ambition into local action.

The charity provides one-to-one reading sessions, pairing children with trained volunteers in a calm, supportive environment.

This approach encourages children who may need extra help to develop essential literacy skills, while also building confidence and nurturing a love of reading. 

Research consistently shows that strong reading skills are linked to better educational and life outcomes, making ARCh’s work more vital than ever.

To meet growing demand, the charity is calling on Oxfordshire residents to volunteer — no teaching experience is required, just patience, enthusiasm, and a love of books.

Volunteers receive training and ongoing support, and many describe the experience as deeply rewarding. 

ARCh also partners with local businesses through Employee Volunteering schemes, giving staff the opportunity to spend an hour a week supporting children in their local schools. 

A little time can make a huge difference.

To volunteer or find out more about workplace partnerships, email info@archoxfordshire.org.uk or visit archoxfordshire.org.uk. 

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