Bookmark Reading Charity
We want every child to read
We exist to change children’s life stories through the joy of reading.
Volunteer with Bookmark
Learn about volunteering opportunities at Bookmark, including roles as a reading volunteer, corporate volunteer or reading mentor.
Find out moreProgrammes, Grants & Resources
Learn about our programmes, grants and resources for schools, including one-to-one reading, book packs, teaching materials and funding.
Find out more
Our mission
We improve children’s literacy by promoting a reading for pleasure culture in primary schools, with a focus on supporting children in the most disadvantaged communities.
Why we exist
In England, currently more than 1 in 4 children are leaving primary school unable to read well, limiting their potential in the classroom and beyond. These children are more likely to go on to experience unemployment, poor mental health and even a shorter life expectancy.
By fostering a love of reading, we can change the story for children, equipping them with the reading skills they need for a brighter future.
Want to make a lasting impact? You can volunteer, donate or partner with us, or explore philanthropy to transform children’s futures.
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1 in 4 children
leave primary school unable to read well*
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£81 billion
is how much low literacy costs the UK economy a year**
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1 in 5 children
aged 5 to 8 don’t have a book of their own at home***
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57% of prisoners
are unable to read at the expected level of an 11-year old****
Volunteer with Bookmark
You can spark the joy of reading with every child to help them succeed in school. For just an hour a week, you can change a child’s story by becoming a reading volunteer, either face-to-face or online.
Become a partner school
We deliver our programmes in partnership with primary schools, with a focus on children in the most disadvantaged communities.
Our programmes are designed to nurture an enjoyment of reading. This is so that children read more, gain more confidence as readers and, ultimately, improve their reading skills.
Support us
By helping a child to read, we can give every child the opportunity to succeed. There are many ways you can support Bookmark, which are outlined below. Together we can give the gift of reading to the children who need us most.
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Fundraise for Bookmark
You can change a child’s story through fundraising. Whether you want to make Bookmark your charity of the year, take on a challenge or do your own thing.
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Become a corporate partner
Become a corporate partner by completing this short form and one of the team will be in touch.
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Donate to Bookmark
Donate to Bookmark and change a child’s story.
Testimonials
Discover the impact Bookmark is having on communities everywhere through the voices of volunteers, teachers and children on the programme.
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A low cost, high impact programme that is proven to work.
Teacher from one of our partner schools 
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The staff and children at our school honestly can’t thank you all enough for the diverse and engaging books that you have gifted to us. I can promise you that in this school you have changed lives.
Partner school in Lincolnshire 
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The reading things you help us with makes us better at everything.
Child on the one-to-one reading programme 
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It’s well laid out and well pitched to the age range. It is accessible to those even with poor reading ability – there’s something in the magazine for all pupils to enjoy.
Teacher commenting on our termly magazine 
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I feel happy to know that I am helping a child to read, and it is also improving my skills too. I have really enjoyed the training and optional training videos. I feel they have helped me improve and I want to continue to learn and improve. I am hoping to keep volunteering long term.
Corporate volunteer 
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Being a bit shy and easily disheartened to a child who is so happy to read and now tries even the tricky words.
Volunteer 
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I like reading with my volunteer because they can help me have a try and I can get smarter.
Child on the one-to-one reading programme 
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I have seen a huge difference in the children’s attitudes around reading. They are now choosing their own texts in the classroom and are being far more vocal now that they consider themselves to be ‘good readers’. Most of our Year 3 pupils on the reading programme have made between four to five months' progress over the 12 weeks and two formerly disengaged boys have made 11 months and 16 months' progress respectively – it’s fantastic!
Teacher from one of our partner schools 
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For those 30 minutes with a child you feel like you're making a positive impact and helping them in some small way on their important journey of education, self-esteem and confidence.
Volunteer 
Latest news
Discover Bookmark’s latest developments and activities across the nation. Stay informed about our recent initiatives and impactful programmes and hear directly from the experts about innovative teaching methods to enhance literacy.
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Sam Usher: Inspiring young readers through adventures
Celebrating 10 years of Sam Usher! In this exclusive interview, discover Sam’s inspirations and how he promotes reading for pleasure through adventure.
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Greg James and Chris Smith host a private meet-and-greet with partner schools for The Twits Next Door
Discover what our three partner schools asked Greg James and Chris Smith in an exclusive Q&A session, where the authors shared insights about The Twits Next Door.
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The importance of inclusive storytelling with Sharika Chauhan
Discover how children’s author and former Bookmark Volunteer, Sharika Chauhan champions empowerment and inclusive storytelling through her Maya’s Worldly Wonders.
Our supporters
On behalf of the children we help, we’re incredibly grateful to our supporters. These include corporate partners, charitable trusts and philanthropists.
*Department for Education Reading England's Future (literacytrust.org.uk) **World Literacy Foundation; all other statistics from National Literacy Trust ***Book ownership in 2023 | National Literacy Trust ****Prison education: a review of reading education in prisons - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
