Close Brothers & Bookmark

Close Brothers Group: Changing the story for children in 2021

Report prepared for you by Bookmark January 2022

“You have helped our school deal with challenges resulting from "Thethe children are engaged and the Covid more –19 pandemic.

It has helped enthusiastic about usreading. supportThere's children whoawere been clearnot read improvement with at home during in theirthe pandemic and where the gap confidence and phonics too!“had increased.”

-Teacher at a Bookmark partner -Teacher at a Bookmark school partner school

“I like reading with my volunteer because I can have a try and get smarter”

- Child on a Bookmark programme

Dear Close Brothers Group, Thank you for your continued support for children's literacy and Bookmark. Over the past year you have helped more children than ever to develop the reading skills and confidence they need for a fair chance in life through our Bookmark programme.

This is an impact that will last a lifetime.

As you know, the pandemic has had a huge impact on children, particularly the most disadvantaged in our communities. Many were in homes with parents who, despite their best efforts, didn’t have the skills, resources or time to help them learn to read.

Children have had over 18 months of disrupted learning. Pupils in Years 1 and 2 are an average of three months behind where they should be, and disadvantaged children are seven months behind their peers.

There has never been a more impactful time for Close Brothers to support children’s literacy and education recovery. We've prepared this report to show you the direct and lasting impact that you and your volunteers have made on the lives of children in communities across the country.

Together, we can continue to reach more children than ever this year and beyond.

On behalf of Bookmark, and the children we support, thank you.

Sharon Pindar – Bookmark founder and Chair of Trustees

Thank you Close Brothers for your continued support.

Over the past year, you have made a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of children in communities across the country.

‘We are so thankful to have these sessions, please thank the funders when you see them. I stand at the gate each morning and the pupils ask me every time, are we reading today?’

– Teacher at a Bookmark partner school

In a ‘normal’ year, an average of eight children in a class leave primary school unable to read well. These children often struggle in school, and beyond.

Reading isn't just about books. It’s about reading a road sign, a safety manual, a birthday card. It’s understanding a job application or the literature about the Covid-19 vaccine. Poor literacy leads to limited job prospects, poor health, low self-esteem, and even reduced life expectancy.

Bookmark gives children the reading skills and confidence they need for a fair chance in life, through our flexible volunteer-led programme.

For the children who need us, we're changing their story.

www.bookmarkreading.org

Registered Charity No. 1177681 Bookmark Reading Charity, Charles House, 5-11 Regent Street, St James’s London, SW1Y 4LR