Doorstep Library is a not-for-profit community led organisation dedicated to bringing the gift of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children across London who need our support. With one in four 11 year olds leaving primary school unable to read or write properly, we recruit and train home and online-reading volunteers to go into some of the most disadvantaged areas in London to help introduce young children (aged 0-11 years) to the pleasure of reading.
We use books to fuel children’s natural love of stories, fire their imaginations, and encourage their appreciation of reading. Our ultimate goal is to help them develop the self-confidence and essential skills they need to access all the opportunities that will come their way in life.
Whether in person, online or in the post, Doorstep Library supports children living on London’s most disadvantaged estates. Our teams of Home and Online Reading Volunteers make weekly visits to children at home or online, to read stories, lend books and connect families to their local community. We give children from isolated families a better future through improved literacy skills and the confidence to thrive both at home and at school.
Volunteers work in pairs, carrying a backpack full of books, and small stools to sit on, or see families in a virtual setting. We visit each family once a week during term-time, read stories with the children on the doorstep or in the home, and lend them books to exchange when we return the following week. We also run online reading sessions when reaching those who need it most is simply not possible in person. We emphasise the fun element and use the power of stories to let the children generate their own interest, which is the most effective motivation for learning.
For us, the ‘happy ever after’ is when we know the power of literacy and the joy of reading are helping a child change their own story for good.
