One in four children in Norfolk are leaving primary school without reaching the expected standard in reading.
This not only affects academic success, but also future opportunities and wellbeing.
The Norfolk Reading Project (TNRP), a volunteer-led scheme in Norfolk, is working to change that statistic by providing free, one-to-one reading support to pupils across the county.
Anne Thorley, co-founder and chair of TNRP, launched the project a decade ago with fellow Norfolk resident Sarah Seymour.
"Since smart phones were introduced in 2007, there has been a remarkable fall off in the number of people reading for pleasure," Anne said.
"Many children have not encountered a book before they start school and, instead of turning pages, they will try to swipe them as if the page was a screen."
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In 2015, Anne and Sarah, along with friends, began offering free Saturday morning reading sessions outside of school.
When no children attended, they pivoted to supporting children in schools.
That decision has led to lasting impact across the county.
TNRP now supports more than 150 primary schools, with a network of over 200 volunteers.
The charity recruits, trains and DBS-checks volunteers before pairing them with a nearby school.
Once in the classroom, volunteers listen to children read on a regular basis, helping them develop confidence and fluency.
"All the most recent research is pointing to books and the importance of initial phonics teaching as vital to reading development and ultimately enjoyment," Anne said.
"We forget that learning to read in English is really hard and takes time. There are no shortcuts, and practice is the key to success and enjoyment."
The support is free for both schools and volunteers.
Unlike some reading charities, TNRP provides in-person, full-day training covering phonics, reading mechanics and safeguarding.
Each volunteer leaves with a handbook, classroom materials and a letter of introduction for the teacher.
"This is the start of making reading enjoyable," Anne said.
TNRP also offers ongoing support through newsletters and workshops featuring authors, teachers and experts on topics such as speech therapy and dyslexia.
Feedback from schools and volunteers suggests the scheme is making a meaningful difference.
One volunteer said: “Engaging with and reading with the children keeps me young at heart in my retirement so thank you, The Norfolk Reading Project, for providing me with this opportunity.”
The charity’s long-term goal is to reach every school that requests help.
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Anne said: "Our ambition is to make sure every primary school in Norfolk that wants a reading support volunteer has one.
"With around 350 primary schools in the county, that means we need a lot more volunteers!"
With the government naming 2026 as The Year of Reading, TNRP hopes to attract more volunteers to meet growing demand.
"In this Year of Reading, perhaps more people will want to help make a difference," Anne said.
Anyone interested in volunteering can visit www.thenorfolkreadingproject.co.uk or email info@thenorfolkreadingproject.co.uk
This article has been published as part of Born & Read in Norfolk – a year-long initiative highlighting the importance of reading and writing, delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writing, headline sponsor RWE and sponsor YouGarden.
Follow the campaign throughout the year in our coverage and on social media using #BornAndRead2026 or get in touch at readingmatters@newsquest.co.uk
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