Coram Beanstalk

05/06/2026

Just 10% of children who fall behind in reading at primary school go on to pass their Maths and English GCSEs.

Early, targeted support is critical.

That's why Coram Beanstalk is working together with Bookmark, Chapter One UK and Schoolreaders to help more children build a love of reading from the very start.

Last academic year, nearly 10,000 volunteers gave over 464,895 hours of their time, supporting 46,907 children across 2,566 schools.

Across our programmes, trained volunteers work with children on a weekly basis; building confidence, strengthening skills and a sparking a lifelong love of reading.

However, these figures also highlight a growing challenge. Demand from schools continues to rise, and without enough volunteers, too many children risk falling further behind.

We’ve shown what’s possible together, now we need more people to be part of it.

Register your interest to volunteer with any of our organisations today.

05/06/2026

Fantastic to see Bookmark on Sky News this morning talking about the Literacy Link and the need for more volunteers to come forward to help us reach more children. 🙏

If you can spare one afternoon a week to spend sharing books with children in a local primary school, get in touch today. Share your own passion for reading with children who are yet to discover how much joy books can bring them.

www.corambeanstalk.org.uk/register-now

03/06/2026

Right now, 1 in 4 children in England are leaving primary school unable to read well - one-to-one reading support is more vital than ever.

Falling behind in reading doesn’t just impact school, it can affect confidence, future qualifications, job opportunities and even long-term wellbeing.

We know the difference consistent reading support makes, and new combined figures from Bookmark, Chapter One UK Coram Beanstalk and Schoolreaders speak for themselves.

Last academic year we found, when children are supported by reading volunteers:

📚 81% improved their reading fluency
📚 77% improved their reading comprehension
📚 94% built stronger communication skills
📚 84% developed a greater love of reading

This , we’re working together through , as part of a nationwide push to recruit 100,000 volunteers to support children’s literacy.

By becoming a reading volunteer, you have the power to change a child’s story.

Become a reading volunteer today ➡️ www.corambeanstalk.org.uk/register-now

03/06/2026

Volunteers and staff were delighted to attend The Big Lunch Sharing Stories event today.

Volunteer Chantelle Seaborn had an extra special lunchtime companion when HM The Queen took a chair next to her!

A very special day, that celebrated the generosity of volunteers spreading the reading bug.

Congratulations to our friends at National Literacy Trust and The British Library for a well organised and tasty event 😀

01/06/2026

Thousands of children are waiting for help with reading but there aren’t enough volunteers to support them.

Last academic year across England and parts of Scotland, nearly 10,000 volunteers from literacy charities Bookmark, Chapter One UK, Coram Beanstalk and Schoolreaders helped almost 47,000 pupils improve their reading - and as demand from schools continues to grow, volunteer recruitment numbers aren’t catching up.

We know the impact that one-to-one reading support has and it doesn’t just improve reading skills - it builds confidence, boosts communication skills and helps children develop a lifelong love of reading.

But without enough volunteers, too many children risk falling behind.

As part of the a nationwide drive is underway to recruit 100,000 volunteers so that more children can get the support they need.

Make an impact this . Become a reading helper and help children build brighter futures.

01/06/2026

✉📮📚It's 1st June and time for our Book of the Month! 📚📮✉️

This month we are thrilled to be hosting another special online BookFest event for our Coram Beanstalk partner schools with the wonderful . Ben will be talking about his latest book, Postman Planet and we can't wait!

We've chosen Postman Planet as our and have also selected a few more about post or letters. And... if you visit our website you'll also find a downloadable letter template so that the children you read with can write to their favourite authors.

Find out more at www.corambeanstalk.org.uk/june-2026 and if you'd like to buy any of these make sure to visit our uk.bookshop.org/shop/corambeanstalk page because every purchase gives us a 10% donation at no extra cost to you!

26/05/2026

Don’t forget the closing date for this competition to win the 10 longlisted books for the Alligator’s Mouth Book
Award is 2nd June!

Enter now to win books for your chosen primary school 👇🏼

🎉🤩 WIN 10 books longlisted for The Alligator's Mouth Children's Bookshop / Bright Agency book award for your chosen school*! 🤩🎉

Coram Beanstalk is excited to be running this competition again for 3 lucky schools to win 10 books for their library - just fill in the form to nominate your chosen school and tell us why they deserve to win these 10 brilliant illustrated books for 6-8 year olds.

Closing date is 2nd June so there's plenty of time to get nominating and spread the word.

*UK Primary schools only 👌
https://www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/win-books

21/05/2026

🥁🎉 We are absolutely thrilled to announce a new author ambassador joining our Coram Beanstalk family! 🎉🥁

The fabulous Jen Carney has kindly agreed to support us as an author ambassador and we are delighted. Jen is passionate about finding ways to encourage children to discover the fun in reading and writes laugh-out-loud books that celebrate diverse modern families.

Described by Maisie Chan Author as a comic genius, Maisie also said "As an adopted person myself, it was so wonderful to see an adoptee having fun, living her best life (with biscuits) and being basically awesome! My kids and I can't wait for more books from the talent and wonder that is Jen Carney!"- Maisie Chan, author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths

Jen told us: "I’m honoured to become an ambassador for Coram Beanstalk. Helping children to discover books they want to read for pleasure is one of my biggest passions."

We are very much looking forward to working together with Jen and watch out for a special event for our Coram Beanstalk partner schools in the North West later in the year.

www.corambeanstalk.org.uk/jen-carney

15/05/2026

From "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands 👏👏" to a standing ovation!

Last night Frank Cottrell Boyce delivered a speech as his tenure as BookTrust Waterstones laureate comes to a close.

It was a powerful message to us all that "The kids are not alright".

He was joined by brilliant speakers - Baroness Floella Benjamin, neuroscientist Professor Sam Wass , Nicola Parker from Knowsley Council, and Lemn Sissay who read a brand new poem written by Alex Wharton specially for the lecture.

We’re already working hard to create readers but it was difficult not to come away with a renewed sense of urgency and a determination to double down on our efforts.

If you can help us reach more children by volunteering, spreading the word about our work, supporting us as a corporate partner or introducing us to more decision-makers in education please do.

Childhood is fleeting and the kids are not alright.

Speaking at the Royal Institution, the author and screenwriter linked falling literacy rates to poverty, housing insecurity and social media

12/05/2026

🤔If you haven't already heard our Head of Coram Beanstalk, Amy Lewis chatting on the Mostly Book Talk podcast, what are you waiting for?🤗

One-to-one, in-person, reading for pleasure, real books - it's what we do.

If you're working in a school looking for resources or support - or you're someone interested in volunteering or maybe you're already a Coram Beanstalk reading helper - this is 15 minutes worth lending your ears to.

For the National Year of Reading, we are sharing a series of short conversations with people who are involved in promoting reading with young people. This could be a programme, resources or a literary event, and we're giving them the opportunity t...