Reading Coach

Read Easy Winchester provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading. We cover Andover, Eastleigh, Chandlers Ford, Romsey and areas in between. We are changing the lives of individual adults by providing them with the support they need to learn to read, and in turn opening doors for them to all sorts of new opportunities in life. You can read about the difference Read Easy makes on our website.

We have been operating in Winchester since 2015 and have a Management Team of 5, a Coordinator and 25 volunteer coaches. We are all volunteers.

What you will be doing

• Developing the literacy skills of an adult Reader who has difficulty with reading
• Meeting with your Reader for two separate half hour sessions each week face to face in an approved venue or remotely on a video call or a combination of both. These sessions are at mutually convenient times.
• Providing non-judgemental literacy support to your Reader
• Utilising your empathy and understanding to support your Reader
• Delivering the phonics based Turning Pages programme with guidance for coaches on every page and using other approved resources
• Keeping records of your meetings
• Liaising with your allocated Coordinator and Literacy Specialist
• Attending Coach meetings approximately every two months
• Working within Read Easy policies and procedures

What’s in it for you

• You will be provided with outstanding Initial Coach training in two sessions before you commence coaching, each lasting three hours
• A supported induction period at the commencement of coaching
• Consolidation training once you have been coaching for a couple of weeks, again in two sessions each lasting 3 hours
• Working with other enthusiastic volunteers to change the lives of the individuals you support
• Regular support from the group Coordinator
• Literacy support from the group Literacy Specialist

Skills

• Confident reading skills
• Clear communicator 
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding whilst maintaining boundaries
• Ability to talk and listen to the person you coach in a patient, positive, encouraging and purposeful way
• A non-judgmental attitude and a positive respect for others, regardless of abilities, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or age
• Ability to focus on your Reader and their needs
• Ability to work alone, seeking support when necessary
• Reliability, consistency and an ability to handle disappointment
• A commitment to maintain confidentiality and volunteer within Read Easy’s guidelines and policies
• Willingness to commit to the required training
• Ability and confidence to use a computer to access documents online, or the willingness to learn to do so