PEOPLE who love reading are wanted to pass on their enthusiasm and skills to young people.
The Reading Matters project at Royds Hall High School, Paddock, wants to expand to other schools across Kirklees.
And volunteers are needed to take part in a two-day training course so they can become volunteer reading mentors in schools at the start of the next academic year.
"A love of reading and an interest in helping young people are the only qualification needed to work as a volunteer," said Angela Monaghan, chief executive of Reading Matters.
"We have talked to a wide number of schools across Kirklees and many more are interested in taking part in the project.
"So we need more volunteers to support us."
The project, which started in 1997 in Leeds, now helps children at schools across West and South Yorkshire and also in Birmingham.
Some 240 volunteers, a quarter of whom are men, work with children in 100 schools in 10 areas.
Research has shown that the average pupil will gain 15 months of reading age and 10 months in terms of comprehension after 10 weeks of working with the Reading Matters partnership.
Students spend two half-hour sessions a week with their volunteer.
Four young people at Royds Hall are being helped.
Ms Monaghan added: "Improving reading helps young people become more confident and gain skills for life.
"The changes in their confidence and self-esteem and attitude to reading prove invaluable."
For more information about the project phone 01274 692219 or email at info@reading matters.org.uk
