Last Saturday 23rd May was the day for QPARA’s annual birdwalk around Queen’s Park and Paddington Cemetery. The weather was sunny, the company of nine good and the birds were singing as we set off from the cafe. Seeing a blue tit popping in and out of what must have been a nest site in the corner of the cafe roof made a good start. The Quiet Garden was not quiet when it came to bird song. It also produced a greenfinch – a species that has been scarce recently due to disease – a splendid song thrush and a flock of starlings, including many young. Indeed we saw a lot more starlings in similar flocks of around 20 than we have ever done on previous walks. 6 walkers made it round the Cemetery as well, two of whom spotted a goldfinch as they were leaving.
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Last year, 15% of Brent children left primary school not reading well enough for secondary school. Can you help?
Beanstalk is a charity that responds to this need by recruiting and training people to volunteer in a local primary school to support children who are struggling with their reading and prevent them from falling behind. Reading Helpers provide regular one-to-one reading support to three children for a whole year to help them read, grow and succeed. With Beanstalk’s support the child’s approach to reading is often transformed.
Children in Brent urgently need more volunteers to become Reading Helpers. Beanstalk Reading Helpers are trained to recognise what challenges these children face and work through them. By becoming a Reading Helper you can make an outstanding contribution to a child’s reading ability, self-confidence and love of reading. With access to a library of books and games at their local branch, they can tailor their sessions best to support the children they work with.
This opportunity runs throughout the school term time and you will be at the school for two 90 minute sessions a week. You can sign up at any time during the school year and will full training and expenses will be provided.
To find out more, please visit beanstalkcharity.org.uk