Reading Sponsorship "Reading and Reading Aloud" (Leipzig Community Foundation)

The reading mentorship program "Reading and Reading Aloud" by the Bürgerstiftung Leipzig strengthens reading skills among primary school children and promotes intergenerational dialogues from March to June 2026. Committed volunteers meet every two weeks for 2.5 hours each time with a mentee in the after-school care of the August-Bebel Primary School or in the premises of the German National Library Leipzig. There, they practice reading and reading aloud and jointly visit seniors in assisted living to exchange texts: first, the children read aloud to the older adults, then they themselves are read to from the seniors' favorite books. This concept, developed in cooperation with the German National Library Leipzig, the after-school care of the August-Bebel Primary School, and AdVita am Waldplatz, enables participants to expand social skills, experience language support, and build intergenerational bridges.

Individuals interested in promoting reading who have sufficient time availability from March to June 2026 and wish to volunteer qualify to participate. Applications require a completed registration form, which, together with additional documents, provides insight into motivation and availability. Volunteer reading mentors benefit from targeted training materials, a warm community of like-minded individuals, and the opportunity to play a valuable role in the educational journey of young people and the lives of older generations. The initiative contributes to education, social cohesion, and democratic participation in the Free State of Saxony.