Today is the beginning of Volunteers’ Week 2026 (1-7 June), when Chapter One joins thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK.

For Chapter One, the week is a real celebration of our 3,500 online reading volunteers from 180+ corporate partners and the impact they have on the future of young readers all over the UK. Together, they have racked up an incredible 22,300 hours of reading support - meaning they have read with children for the equivalent of a whole two-and-a-half years collectively since last September. And we’re well on track to achieve our 2025-26 reading hours target of 28,000 hours and our goal of sharing with children One Million Stories by 2030.

This year, that contribution matters more than ever. As a lead delivery partner for the National Year of Reading 2026, Chapter One has committed to recruiting 1,000 additional volunteers - and the energy, dedication and impact of our existing volunteers is exactly what will inspire others to join them.

Chapter One's CEO, Emma Bell said: “Volunteers' Week is a chance to celebrate and recognise the fantastic contribution our volunteers make. Our volunteers build children's confidence, they help them enjoy reading, they motivate them to get excited about stories through that all-important one-to-one human connection and discussion, week in and week out! Celebrate yourselves this Volunteers' Week. Thank you!"

Watch a special Volunteers' Week 2026 message from Josh MacAlister, OBE, MP, Minister for Children and Families who recently visited a Chapter One partner school in his Cumbria constituency.