The mayor of Bicester will present a team of young volunteers with certificates of achievement next week.

Taking place at Bicester Library on Thursday, September 5 at 5.30pm, the event will recognise a team of around 10 local secondary school age kids who have contributed to a national library scheme this summer. 

The volunteers will be awarded certificates by Damien Maguire, who was elected as mayor in May 2024.

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Last year the former Bicester mayor, Harry Knight awarded a team of volunteers certificates at Bicester Library. 

The certificates recognise the volunteers' contribution towards the running of The Summer Reading Challenge during the school holidays, a national scheme that runs every summer in libraries.

The aim of the scheme is to encourage primary school age children to read books and use libraries during the summer holidays.

As the children read their books, they are encouraged to tell staff or volunteers about the books they have been reading and they are then rewarded with stickers and small prizes. 

When they have completed the challenge, they receive a medal and a certificate, boosting the children’s confidence with reading and helping improve their literacy skills for when they go back to school in September.

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The volunteer team’s role is to guide the children through the Summer Reading Challenge and to motivate and encourage them to complete it. 

Darius Welch, who works at Bicester Library, said: "I have the most brilliant team of volunteers who have been working on this over the summer. 

"It has been my pleasure to see them grow in confidence as they have worked on this and to see them inspire and encourage the small children on the challenge."