David McTeague, head of IT at Hachette, volunteered as a reading partner for a pupil at St Joseph's and St Teresa's School in Doncaster. Photo: Chapter One.
A Doncaster pupil's reading confidence has grown after receiving weekly support from a workplace volunteer through an online literacy programme.
David McTeague, head of IT at publisher Hachette, volunteered with a pupil named Freddie at St Joseph's and St Teresa's School in Doncaster through the charity Chapter One.
The programme connects children aged five to eight with volunteers from UK businesses for a 30-minute, one-to-one online reading session each week.
Chapter One connects young pupils with workplace volunteers for weekly online reading sessions. Photo: Chapter One.
From listening to reading independently
Mr McTeague said Freddie initially needed considerable support but had become a much more confident reader during their sessions.
When I first started reading with Freddie through Chapter One, it was largely me doing the reading.
The charity's programme provides children with 30 minutes of one-to-one reading support each week. Photo: Chapter One.
He needed help to build his confidence, and as I read, we would try out different words here and there. Now I hardly say anything!
Freddie reads story after story to me — which is just amazing. To watch his general confidence grow as his reading gets better and better is incredible. I am so lucky to be a part of his journey.
Gemma Payne, a teacher at St Joseph's and St Teresa's School, said the children taking part had enjoyed the programme and made noticeable progress.
The children have had an absolute blast. Their reading has improved dramatically and to see the difference in their confidence is absolutely amazing!
Research examines pressure on family reading time
The Doncaster experience was shared alongside new UK research commissioned by Chapter One as part of its work during the National Year of Reading 2026.
The charity said 64% of parents surveyed spent less than one hour reading with their child during a typical week, below the 70 minutes it recommends. It also reported that 86% of parents wanted more time to read with their children.
Researchers surveyed 1,000 UK parents of children aged five to 11, 500 primary-school teachers and 2,000 nationally representative UK adults during August 2026.
According to the findings, 87% of parents and 91% of teachers believed regular reading with a trusted adult or volunteer would improve children's confidence.
More than half of the teachers surveyed said fear of making mistakes in front of other people could be a barrier to reading, while 44% pointed to limited opportunities for a child to practise one-to-one with an adult.
Businesses encouraged to support volunteers
Chapter One works with businesses that allow employees to volunteer during the working week. It says the approach gives children regular individual attention while making the commitment manageable for volunteers.
Its research found that 67% of working adults would consider volunteering to read with a child if their employer supported them. Sixty-nine per cent said businesses should make that opportunity available.
Emma Bell, chief executive of Chapter One, said family life could make regular one-to-one reading difficult to sustain even when parents wanted to spend more time doing it.
Businesses have a valuable role to play. By giving employees the flexibility to volunteer, they can help children access trusted adults and give their people the chance to make a meaningful difference beyond work.
When a child begins to believe that they can read, that confidence can stay with them long after the book is closed.
Chapter One says it partners with nearly 200 organisations to provide its online reading programme. Further details are available from the Chapter One website.
This report is based on information, quotations, research data and photographs supplied by Chapter One's press representatives.
