As a valued partner of Chapter One for the past three years, we have seen first hand the powerful impact of their work supporting primary school children aged five to six through one-to-one reading support at a critical stage in their development.

Since 2022, we have partnered with Chapter One to help children struggling with early literacy - an essential foundation for long-term educational and social outcomes. The programme pairs trained volunteers with individual pupils for weekly 30-minute online reading sessions throughout the academic year. This consistent one-to-one support builds confidence, fosters trust, and nurtures a positive relationship with reading.

Why it matters

In England, 38% of disadvantaged 11-year-olds leave primary school without the expected reading skills. Chapter One is helping to change that. With NG Bailey’s support, our colleagues are playing an active role in addressing this challenge and becoming part of the solution.

Nearly half of participating colleagues return year after year, demonstrating both the sustainability of the programme and the value volunteers place on the experience. The impact of the partnership extends well beyond immediate literacy gains. Volunteers gain a deeper understanding of educational inequality, while children benefit from focused, individual attention that schools are often unable to provide at scale.

This initiative reflects our commitment to social mobility and early intervention - supporting children at a formative stage while enabling colleagues to contribute their time in a structured, meaningful, and impactful way.