How to Join

/How to Join
How to Join 2018-09-28T15:48:15+00:00

Reading Force helps keep families close

Reading Force usually takes place at home within the family, but an introduction to the scheme and encouragement to take part is frequently given by teachers, group leaders, welfare workers, SENCOs, Parent Support Advisors, ELSAs, librarians and other professionals who support Forces children.

The most effective way to run Reading Force in a setting is for one person to be nominated as a Reading Force Ambassador who will receive and organise distribution of Reading Force materials within your organisation or setting. Anyone working with Forces children can be a Reading Force Ambassador. You do not have to be in the Forces yourself.

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Order your free resources

Complete the online order form and we’ll send you a free resources pack which will include all the materials you need to promote and hand out to Forces children and families.

You then introduce children and families to Reading Force and tell them how they can take part. This can be done in a school assembly, during a coffee morning, a group meeting, in an after-school club, at a library event, or in any other capacity appropriate to your organisation or setting.

You can also download posters and leaflets from this site to promote Reading Force in your setting.

Why get involved?

  • Reading Force is a fun activity for schools, clubs, welfare, HIVEs and other settings to offer Forces families
  • It can be included as part of existing pastoral support and provided to families if they are new to the patch and settling in; going through a deployment, separation or other challenging circumstances; new to a school or setting; want an activity to do at home
  • Families experience a variety of benefits when they take part, including enjoying talking about stories and connecting with a deployed parent
  • All scrapbooks, leaflets and resources are free and schools, clubs, and welfare settings can order them online

Tips for promoting Reading Force

  • Display posters on notice boards and in meeting areas
  • Send leaflets home to parents with a covering letter
  • Hand out scrapbooks, or make them available to collect from a designated place such as the school library
  • Create book displays with Reading Force and your own recommended reads
  • Promote the scheme in your newsletters and on your website
  • Hold a family event like a tea and biscuits afternoon
  • Organise an author visit – talk to us if you’d like us to help you organise it
  • Involve the children in Service children’s clubs such as HMS Heroes
  • Run a scrapbooking club, or include in SEAL meetings, encouraging and helping children to be creative

“Having books to share gives the children the distraction that they need. They are building their confidence and improving their communication, with family and friends.”

Kerry Spindler, Barley Close Community Primary School

Reading Force in Action – how organisations take part