Reluctant Readers

UpliftEd also offers a reluctant readers programme which aims to boost confidence in and enjoyment of reading for young people. There have been a number of animal assisted reading interventions that have shown that the presence of animals when reading can work to reduce reading anxiety in young people and help them develop a passion for reading for pleasure.

Sessions are an hour long, a maximum of four students can be seen within the hour with each student receiving a minimum of 15 minutes 1:1 time reading with either Finn, our qualified therapy dog, or our guinea pigs. Students will read for 10 minutes to the animals and then spend time teaching tricks, grooming and getting to know the animals.

Outcomes for the reluctant reader programme include:

• Increased confidence in reading
• Increased enjoyment in reading
• Reduction in reading anxiety
• Improved reading age