ARCh - Assisted Reading for Children Oxfordshire

20/10/2026

We thoroughly enjoyed this brilliant programme last week and recommend that everyone watches! It truly shows the power of books and how even just one book can change your life. What book has changed your life? We'd love to hear it!

Five surprising and inspiring stories of how books can change lives.

19/10/2026

We wanted to take a moment to say a huge thank you to VN Accountancy & Bookkeeping Limited for their second donation to us, this time of £492- taking the total that they have donated towards ARCh so far an absolutely amazing £1473!

We are so pleased to be their chosen Charity of the Year. Their support is helping us to reach even more children throughout Oxfordshire to discover a love of reading and changing their futures. Thank so much again to Natalie, Vicky and the entire VN Accountacy & Bookkeeping Team!

16/10/2026

Oracy is such a huge part of what we do here at ARCh. We know that reading is about so much more than the words on a page - it’s about talking, sharing ideas, asking questions and making connections. ARCh Reading Helpers give children a safe, supportive space to talk about the books they’re reading, explore new ideas and develop their book talk. Through these conversations, children build their vocabulary, practise expressing themselves and grow in confidence. We are pleased by this announcement by the Department for Education, because we know that when children feel listened to, have the opportunity to speak and know their ideas matter, they really can begin to flourish as learners. If you'd like to help a child develop their Oracy and Reading skills, please consider joining us as an ARCh Reading Helper!

We’re hardwiring oracy into the revised National Curriculum, so speaking, listening, and communicating will light up every classroom.

Read Lucy Powell MP's speech in full: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/education-secretary-speech-at-cst-conference-2026

14/10/2026

Happy ! We love magazines here at ARCh- they are fantastic for our 30 minute reading sessions, and can really hook children in if they are still developing a love of longer stories. The research speaks for itself- 45.7% of children read comics at least once a month! Do you have fond memories of reading magazines and comics as a child? Which ones would you recommend we add to our resources?

12/10/2026

Do you love reading? Could you give a little time each week to help a child discover a love of books, grow in confidence and change their life? Please pop us a message or visit our website to find out more! www.archoxfordshire.org.uk

09/10/2026

We've been lucky to be involved in some really fantastic events over the last few weeks across Oxfordshire! Thank you so much to our wonderful volunteers who have come along to help us at these events- we are so grateful.
We've been at St John's College, Oxford Open Doors, the Abingdon Volunteer Drive hosted by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, the Oxford Brookes Volunteers Student Volunteer Fair, OCVA's Volunteer Fair at Templars Square Shopping Centre, Banbury Canal Festival hosted by Banbury Town Council, and Wallingford Literary Festival hosted by Oxford Independent Authors! We want to say a huge thank you to every single person involved in these events and for having us and helping us to spread the word about ARCh and the work we do. Oxfordshire is a very special place with fantastic things going on everywhere- what a joy to be a part of it!

07/10/2026

We had a busy time at Oxford 50 Plus Network today at Oxford Town Hall
This is always such a great event and we spoke with so many people interested in our work. Hoping we will be welcoming more volunteers soon so that we can help more children develop a life enhancing love of reading

07/10/2026

Great to catch up with ARCh patron James Carter at Lit Fest at the weekend. We’re looking forward to spreading more happy reading in the area so if you’re interested in joining us as a volunteer or supporter please get in touch.

05/10/2026

We'll be at the Oxford 50 Plus Network Older People's Day event on Wednesday at Oxford Town Hall! It is one of our favourite events of the year! Please do spread the word about the event and come on down and visit us anytime between 10am and 2pm- there is so much to see and do, with other 60 stall holders confirmed. It's completely free to attend, no ticket required.

04/10/2026

We had a great day at Banbury Town Council Canal Festival yesterday, and we’re back today for day 2! Come on down and visit us at the Underground market and say hello!