Lunchtime learning – Become a reading volunteer with Coram Beanstalk

Discover how you can help to set children up for a lifetime of reading for pleasure, and the benefits it may bring for you as an author.

Reading charity Coram Beanstalk provides one-to-one reading support in primary schools, helping children to find books that inspire and delight them. To do this they need volunteers who make reading feel like magic.

This session is an opportunity to find out more about the work of Coram Beanstalk, and why you should consider volunteering in a local school.

You’ll hear from Sara Browne, a Coram Beanstalk trainer and reading volunteer, and Piers Torday, an SoA member and children’s author who has previously volunteered for the charity.

#SoAatHome Lunchtime learning events – Free for SoA Members | £15 for Non-Members

Not a member? Sign up here with our special #SoAatHome offer and get 20 per cent off for the first year of membership – use code SOAATHOME20.

What will this session cover?

• Introduction to Coram Beanstalk – what it does and why
• Information about volunteering as a reader helper
• The training provided
• The impact for children
• How volunteering can benefit you as an author or illustrator

Programme

• Welcome and introductions (3 mins)
• Discussion chaired by Sara Browne with Piers Torday (20mins)
• Q&A with audience (20 mins)
• This event will be moderated by Alice Davis – Communications and Campaigns Manager, SoA

Send us your questions

If you would like to send questions in advance, email ADavis@societyofauthors.org with ‘Coram Beanstalk’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day.

The Line-up

Sara Browne

Sara has worked with Coram Beanstalk for almost ten years, as a trainer and as a reading helper. Reading helpers come from all sorts of backgrounds – hers is as an actor and a lecturer – but they all share the vision of a future where every child becomes a reader.  

Piers Torday

Piers Torday’s first book for children, The Last Wild, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Award. His second, The Dark Wild, won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. He is a former Patron of Reading, and reading helper for Coram Beanstalk, and is a Minister at Ministry of Stories. Books According to Dog and Owl, a reading guide for younger children, is published in October.

Accessibility

• Attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript, to watch with subtitles
• If you require BSL interpretation for this event, please email events@societyofauthors.org

Booking

SoA Members: Please use the ‘Register – SoA Members’ form below and provide your details, including your membership number. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID, please email info@societyofauthors.org.

Non-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below, complete the registration form, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment.

For event or registration questions, email events@societyofauthors.org.

SoA Members – Free

Non-Members – £15