This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Volunteers open new chapter
17/01/2006
The launch of Scotland Reads will see young volunteers giving up their time to share an enjoyment of reading and to promote literacy skills among school pupils.
The ProjectScotland volunteers, all aged 16 to 25, will work on a one-to-one basis with schoolchildren in 20 primary and secondary schools from Angus, East Ayrshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire.
At St David's Primary School in Johnstone, Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown said:
"Reading is an essential skill. It not only enables young people to get the most from their education and access job opportunities, it's also a source of pleasure, encourages creativity and fires the imagination.
"It is also a skill which many of us take for granted. Unfortunately some children struggle with their reading and we need to do all we can to ensure they get as much enjoyment from the written word as everyone else.
"Through the Home Reading Initiative, we are already succeeding in encouraging many more youngsters to read at home with their families. Today's launch of Scotland Reads marks the next chapter in our work with schools and pupils to further develop the reading skills of this generation and of generations to come.
"But this project will not only benefit those children. The volunteers themselves will also gain a huge amount from the scheme. This is a positive and rewarding opportunity which will allow them to make a real, direct and lasting difference to children's lives."
Chief Executive of ProjectScotland Kate Mavor said:
"ProjectScotland is pleased to be working with the Scottish Executive, Learning and Teaching Scotland, schools and local authorities on this pilot scheme to encourage young people to become more confident and get greater enjoyment from reading.
"This is an exciting volunteering opportunity that will allow our young volunteers to support learning with their peers, something that many potential volunteers want to do. Additionally, it will provide volunteers with an opportunity to gain important work-life experience and develop their personal communications skills.
ProjectScotland, a programme to enable 16-25 year olds from all backgrounds to take part in full time volunteering, was launched in May 2005.
The Home Reading Initiative was launched in August 2002 and aims to raise the standard of literacy throughout Scotland by encouraging parents and carers to read to and with their children in the home.
A small grant scheme was developed as part of the Home Reading Initiative to provide local organisations with help to promote reading. In three years over £1.8 million in small grants has been distributed to over 1,500 organisations.