North Star Housing Group have teamed up with Beanstalk, the children’s literacy charity, to help local children in Stockton and Middlesbrough start a new chapter in their lives.

The partnership will see employees from North Star become Beanstalk volunteer reading helpers, as part of a corporate reading scheme, and provide literacy support to children in Stockton and Middlesbrough who struggle with their reading ability and confidence.

The Beanstalk reading helpers will work one-to-one with local children to improve their reading ability and confidence. Together they will read, talk, and play educational games to ensure that they have the skills to reach their true potential.

This one-to-one support is urgently needed for children across Stockton and Middlesbrough:

• 39% of children in Middlesbrough leave primary school unable to read to the expected level, which is higher than the national average of 34%.
• 35% of children in Stockton leave primary school unable to read the expected level.
• The one-to-one support will transform the literacy skills and confidence of the children they support. Beanstalk’s latest Impact Report shows:
• Children accelerate in their reading progress, narrowing the gap with their peers
• Children increase in confidence and attitude to reading and wider learning
• Children increase their enjoyment of reading

Peter Locke, Community Investment Officer for North Star, said: “We are passionate about having a positive impact on the communities we operate in; we’re also committed to supporting children and young people to achieve their potential.

“Our partnership with Beanstalk is a fantastic way to contribute towards these aims. Helping children with their reading will give them a firm foundation from which they can be academically and professionally successful in the future. We also hope to inspire a love of reading and books which will open a whole world of learning and leisure opportunities.

“The partnership gives our staff the opportunity to get out into the community and utilise their skills and experience to support a fantastic project. It’s also a great opportunity for personal development and learning new skills too.”

As part of their corporate reading scheme, five North Star Housing employees will become Beanstalk reading helpers and provide one-to-one literacy support to 10 children in total who struggle with their literacy skills and confidence.

If you would like to help children in Stockton and Middlesbrough start a new chapter then visit www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk.