After-school reading clubs
Weekly clubs in schools, churches, mosques and community halls, run by trained local volunteers.
- Small groups of 12 to 15 children
- Read-aloud, games and quiet reading
- Free, with a snack every session
Free reading clubs in Lagos
Every child deserves a book of their own
Inkwillow runs free after-school reading clubs in Lagos communities, puts good books into children's hands to keep, and trains the volunteers and teachers who read with them. Supported by neighbours in Lagos and friends across the UK.
Give in pounds or naira. Monthly gifts help us plan a whole school year.
Saturday club, YabaAges 6 to 11, free to join
3 books to keepin every child's book box
This year's goals
Targets for 2026 to 2027, not results yet. We will publish progress each term.
40reading clubs running each week
5,000books given to children to keep
120trained volunteer reading leaders
What we do
Three simple things, done well and done often
Children read more when reading is social, when the books are theirs, and when the adults around them feel confident. Everything we do builds on that.
Book boxes to keep
Every club member gets a personal book box: three books chosen for their age, in English and Yoruba, to read at home with family.
- Nigerian and African authors first
- A new book each term
- Name label, so it is truly theirs
Teacher and volunteer training
Practical half-day workshops on reading aloud, phonics games and running a lively club, for volunteers and local teachers.
- Free for partner schools
- Follow-up visits each term
- Simple session plans to keep
How your gift helps
Small amounts go a long way in a Lagos reading club
Give in pounds from the UK or in naira from Nigeria. Here is what typical gifts pay for.
£5₦10,000
A book box for one child
Three new books and a sturdy box with their name on it.
£12₦25,000
A term of club for one child
Snacks, pencils, activity sheets and a new book at the end of term.
£25₦50,000
Trains one reading leader
A workshop place, session plans and a starter set of read-aloud books.
£125₦250,000
Opens a new club shelf
Sixty books and a lockable shelf for a school or community hall.
Pound and naira figures are approximate equivalents and are reviewed each term as prices change.
How a club works
An afternoon at an Inkwillow club
Every club follows the same simple rhythm, so children know what to expect and new volunteers can lead from week one.
- 13:30pm · Arrive
Snack, register and a hello
Children sign in on the club wall with a sticker. A light snack helps everyone settle after school.
- 23:45pm · Read aloud
Story circle
A volunteer reads a picture book aloud, with voices, questions and plenty of guessing what happens next.
- 34:10pm · Play
Word games in small groups
Sound games, letter hunts and simple drama help younger readers decode and older readers stretch.
- 44:35pm · Choose
Quiet reading and book swap
Children pick from the club shelf, read alone or in pairs, and take a book home in their box.
“The aim is simple: a child who leaves club wanting to read the next page.”Our guiding idea for every session plan.
Volunteer and partner
Give an afternoon, or lend your skills from anywhere
No teaching background needed. We train you, pair you with an experienced leader and give you everything you need.
In Lagos
Club reading leader
Two hours a week, during term time. Read aloud, run games and get to know a small group of children.
Register interestIn Lagos
Book box packer
Join a monthly Saturday morning to sort, label and pack book boxes. A good one for families and friends.
Join a packing dayUK or remote
Supporter and fundraiser
Run a book sale, host a reading evening or help with design, writing or bookkeeping from the UK.
Get a fundraising packSchools, faith groups and businesses
Host a club in your space, sponsor a term of book boxes or bring your team for a volunteering day. We will tailor it with you.
Transparency
Where your money goes
We keep running costs low by using donated spaces and volunteers. Our full accounts will be published every year.
Illustrative breakdown for planning
Books bought locally from Nigerian publishers and booksellers where we can.
A termly update to every donor, showing what your gifts paid for.
- Books and club sessionsBook boxes, club shelves, snacks and materials70%
- Volunteer and teacher trainingWorkshops, session plans and follow-up visits15%
- Running costsTransport, storage, insurance and an annual audit9%
- FundraisingSo that every £1 raised today brings in more tomorrow6%
Upcoming events
Come and meet us
14Nov
Community book fair
Story readings, a book swap and face painting for families. Bring a book, take a book.
26Nov
UK supporters' evening
Hear from our Lagos club leaders, see the new book boxes and ask anything.
5Dec
Volunteer training day
Our half-day course for new reading leaders. Lunch and session plans included.
Contact
Say hello
Questions about giving, volunteering or hosting a club? We reply within two working days.
Lagos office
Street address, Yaba, Lagos
+234 000 000 0000
lagos@example.com
UK supporters
Street address, London
020 0000 0000
uk@example.com