The DHL UK Foundation’s partnership with Bookmark Reading Charity is changing children’s life stories through the joy of reading. Bookmark want every child to read and with the support of the DHL UK Foundation and DHL employees they are a step closer to achieving this vision. We caught up with DHL Reading Helpers Lucy, Marta, Samantha and Jill to find out how they found the programme.
Who are Bookmark?
Bookmark started in 2018 with a simple vision: wanting every child to read. They support schools to create a reading for pleasure culture. This is done through Bookmark’s online reading platform. DHL Reading Helpers read and play online literacy games with a child over the course of 6 weeks, developing their reading skills and confidence. Beyond the reading programme, Bookmark also provide primary schools with free books and resources to help strengthen their love of reading and develop a strong culture of reading in schools.
What is The DHL UK Foundation and DHL doing to support these young people?
The DHL UK Foundation are supporting Bookmark with annual donations over a three-year partnership and aim to get at least 175 DHL employees signed up over this partnership duration to become a Bookmark Reading Helper,,.
Meet a few of our fantastic DHL Reading Helpers:
Since launching this programme in 2023, DHL employees have supported in delivering 755 reading sessions in total. Hear what your fantastic colleagues have to say about the programme and their favourite childhood books:
Lucy Oakes, Product and Digital Communications Lead Digital/Sales (DHL eCommerce)
‘I’ve always read a lot and gained much pleasure from reading, so when I learned about this programme, I was immediately interested. The teams at both Bookmark and the DHL Foundation were supportive in helping me to get started and always available to answer questions. The online training was easy to access and helped me feel prepared for my first reading session. It has been a joy to see the pupil I’m working with grow in confidence – we’ve just started a second term together and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve.
My favourite book as a child was the Famous Five. How I longed to be part of the gang, rowing out to Kirrin Island and drinking “lashings of ginger beer”!
Marta Meszaros, Payroll, Compensation & Benefits (DHL Global Forwarding)
‘I’ve started my journey with Bookmark Reading in September 2024. I was slightly scared as English is not my first language, but I hoped it could be enough. I’m on my third programme already! I like to see how the child opens up and has more confidence during these sessions. Next to the reading we play the online games. The six weeks just fly by.
Joining is an easy process and the team at Bookmark and at DHL are very supportive. No question to small or silly. The websites are easy to use and you are able to work around your normal daily routines. Highly recommended.
We had to read different books during school term, I always had a book in my hands. But I could always get comfort from bedtime stories such as the Grimms’ and Andersen’s tales. I still read them if I can’t find anything else to fancy with. A children book but came in my adult life is Harry Potter. Anytime, anywhere, in any forms.’
Samantha Lucas, ICCC+ Manager (DHL Express)
‘I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the reading program, I had the pleasure of listening to a Year 4 child read for 12 weeks virtually. Each session was the highlight of my week, and I looked forward to our time together. It was incredibly rewarding to witness the child’s progress and enthusiasm for reading, and I gained so much from this experience as well!
Favourite childhood book: Roald Dahl – The Twits – I loved reading and laughing at all the challenges and triumphs of Mr & Mrs Twit and the magical animals!’
Jill Alanguilan, Transport FLM (DHL Supply Chain)
‘Getting involved with the Bookmark Reading Programme has been a wonderful experience! It’s been really heartwarming to see the confidence and enthusiasm my reader has developed over the course of the 12. Through just half an hour every week, I was able to gain a lot out of it and I know my reader did too, I’d definitely recommend this to anyone interested.
My favourite childhood book was War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, I used to read it over and over again. I loved reading about Joey’s journey from the farm to the battlefields of World War One, and seeing his development throughout the story as well as the friends he meets along the way.’
Bookmark needs your help. They have more children who need a reading helper than reading helpers available. ‘Currently more than 1 in 4 children are leaving primary school unable to read well, limiting their potential in the classroom and beyond.’ Register your interest here to be part of our Easter 2025 cohort and make a difference just like Lucy, Marta, Samantha and Jill!