Community News

St Stephens employees help school pupils

Employees give time to help young people improve reading skills

Ruth Truelove with (l-r) Alisha Selby, Callum Gallagher, Callum Currie and Karolina Later all aged 8

Pupils at Stepney Primary School are receiving one on one support with their reading thanks to business volunteers from Hull & Humber KC Cares. 

Two volunteers from Hull & Humber KC Cares business partner St Stephens Shopping Centre are taking part in Right to Read, a reading scheme aimed at improving the literacy rates of pupils. 

Volunteers donate one hour a week over a 12 week period to a school taking part in the project, which typically improves a child’s reading age by a minimum of six months. 

Ruth Truelove, Finance and Administration Manager and Deborah Lee, Centre Receptionist and Administrator of St Stephen's Shopping Centre visit the school once a week to hear pupils read. 

Ruth said: “We have a small management team at the centre and the Right to Read project allows Deborah and I to take it in turns to visit the school, ensuring our volunteering has a minimum impact on our business operations, and a maximum effect on the young people. The flexibility of the programme provides us both with the opportunity to get involved in our community and make a positive difference, and we enjoy working with the school immensely.” 

Stepney Primary School Headteacher, Paul Browning, said: “Ruth and Debbie came to us initially for 12 weeks and we are delighted that they have continued with the programme beyond their initial commitment. Support from businesses, through partnerships such as Hull & Humber KC Cares, is key to the success of any school. We can see the partnership with St Stephen's is already delivering results.” 

Hull & Humber KC Cares Business Manager, Tessa Wray said: “The volunteering opportunities we have provided for St Stephens not only fit around their business operations, but are also in keeping with their corporate values, which is an important consideration for many businesses when choosing their community engagement activity. 

“The benefits the Right to Read programme delivers are unquestionable. The programme gives children the undivided attention of an adult who is not a teacher or family member, and the children get the chance to discuss topics on a one to one basis, which also improves their communications skills. Finally, they get to meet a positive role model from the world of work, which is important when working with a school in an area of high unemployment.” 

To find out more about how to get involved in the Hull & Humber KC Cares programme please call Tessa Wray, KC Cares Business Manager on (01482) 638610 or email  tessa.wray@bitc.org.uk