Reading Together Programme
Connecting Queen's students with Children in Care
Reading Together is a programme that supports the development of literacy skills for children in care aged 9-11 years, by providing one-on-one reading support by a Queen’s student mentor on a weekly basis. The aim of the programme is to foster a love and interest in reading and raise attainment levels in general literacy. Reading Together provides a bonding opportunity with a University student who acts as a positive role model for higher education, exposing the children to the wider possibilities of future goals. Providing support and encouraging engagement in other activities designed to aid reading, imagination and literacy skills can open up a whole new world for children to enjoy.
“The simplest way to make sure that we raise literate children is to teach them to read, and to show them that reading is a pleasurable activity” – Neil Gaiman
"I love reading now... Love it... I want to see what happens at the end of the story"
- Reading Together Mentee
NUMERACY TOGETHER PROGRAMME
CONNECTING QUEEN'S STUDENTS WITH CHILDREN IN CARE
Numeracy Together has been designed to support the development of numeracy skills for children in care aged 9-11 years, by providing one-on-one numeracy support by a Queen's student mentor on a weekly basis. Working in partnership with the child's teacher, key focus areas are identified to build the child's confidence, skills and enjoyment of numeracy. Numeracy Together provides a bonding opportunity with a University student who acts as a positive role model for higher education, exposing the children to the wider possibilities of future goals. Providing support and encouraging engagement in other activities designed to aid numeracy skills can open up a whole new world for children.
"I think the best part of Numeracy Together was when something that seemed hard and maybe a bit boring turned out to have some really fun activities like origami and it became so much less intimidating"
- Queen's Student Mentor
Step Up Project - Steps to Success
Funded by the Department for the Economy
The Department for the Economy have funded Step Up - a person-centred skills project. This project aims to improve skills, education or employment opportunities. Step Up is funding an expansion of Reading Together, Numeracy Together and a brand new Steps to Success programme for 2023-24 to reach more children who are in care across Northern Ireland. Steps to Success will support children in care who are in Year 8 to develop their literacy and comprehension skills, alongside support with their emotional literacy. Steps to Success will provide a bonding opportunity with a University student who will act as a positive role model for higher education, exposing the children to the wider possibilities of future goals as they begin their journey in post-primary education. Providing support and encouraging engagement in other activities designed to aid literacy and emotional literacy skills can open up a whole new world for children.
Find out more about Step Up hereWorking in Partnership
A vital aspect of the programme is the use of multi-disciplinary team members. The Widening Participation Unit works in partnership with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Foster Care Associates with support from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s to design and deliver all aspects of the programme.
Every individual and institution involved in the programme has demonstrated that commitment and partnership working is beneficial for outcomes. Importantly, it provides a very strong message for children who are looked after, that there is a network of people who genuinely care, who are looking out for them, and who are working together to help improve their educational outcomes and futures.
For more information about Reading Together, Numeracy Together or Steps to Success, contact rt@qub.ac.uk or phone 028 9097 5020.
Get in touch
Contact WPU