Education charity Schoolreaders is looking for volunteers in Barrow, Ulverston and the South Lakes region as it celebrates its tenth year.

The national charity improves children’s literacy by providing volunteers who listen to children read in primary schools on a one-to-one basis.

Over the past ten years, it has offered more than two million reading sessions to more than 80,000 pupils.

Statistics indicate that one in four children leave primary schools without reaching the expected reading standard, limiting their prospects for secondary education.

Committing a minimum of an hour per week during term-time for a year, Schoolreaders volunteers have made a major impact in elevating reading skills.

The Mail: Volunteers commit to a minimum of one hour per week during term timeVolunteers commit to a minimum of one hour per week during term time (Image: Schoolreaders)

An impressive 81 per cent of children in their programme have improved reading fluency, 91 per cent have boosted their reading confidence, and 84 per cent have shown an increased enjoyment in reading.

Sharing her experience, a headteacher from a Schoolreaders partner school said: "Schoolreader volunteers offer the children quality time with reading, they are more than just a volunteer and have a unique role.

"They are someone the children have a relationship with, perhaps from a different generation.

"They are another adult, not their teacher, not their parent/carer, who children can enjoy the experience of reading with in a really positive way and can share thoughts and ideas."

Another spokesperson said: "I, like many other Schoolreaders volunteers, could share a great many heart-warming stories.

"From the boy who for over a year had really struggled, then one day was comprehending sentences and asking questions about the book, to the girl who not only reads the stories, but gives each character a different voice.

"I always return home from school with a spring in my step!"

The Mail: No qualifications are necessary to become a volunteerNo qualifications are necessary to become a volunteer (Image: Schoolreaders)

Aspiring volunteers can find out more at www.schoolreaders.org.

No qualifications are necessary, just a good level of English.

All volunteers will be matched with a primary school in their area with all having to undergo a compulsory enhanced DBS check and safeguarding training.