Volunteers also have an important – although often under-recognised – role to play within that community of support. So, this National Numeracy Day, we want to shine a light on these unsung heroes.
Making maths fun for young learners
Drawing our inspiration from the reading partner charities – who have transformed children’s literacy by pairing children with volunteers – Number Champions is seeking to deliver that same transformation for numeracy.
Since 2018, we have been working across London, recruiting and training volunteers to provide one-to-one support in state primary schools. Our volunteers use games and other engaging activities to help make maths accessible and enjoyable.
We know that poor numeracy holds children back from reaching their full potential, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. And developing confidence with numbers isn’t about always getting the right answer; it’s about feeling supported enough to have a go, to make mistakes, and to keep trying. That’s where volunteers can make a real difference.
Building skills and confidence through numeracy support
Our volunteers create a calm, low-pressure environment where children can practise numeracy at their own pace. They create space for focused attention, encouragement and reassurance. This support then builds skills and confidence.
As one volunteer shared:
"Growing up with dyslexia, I often struggled with reading and writing, whereas maths was my safe space. That’s what inspired me to volunteer with Number Champions. Each week, I give children my time so they can become more confident in maths — I’ve seen firsthand how a little extra help can turn maths from something intimidating into something they enjoy."
What makes this support so powerful is how personal it is. Volunteers bring their whole selves to their role. Alongside the structured resources we provide, volunteers adapt sessions to reflect children’s interests and build confidence in meaningful ways.
One volunteer planned a session around the children being managers of London’s busiest pizza restaurant. Another, knowing a child loved animals, planned a session where the child was a zookeeper.
Highlighting the real-world value of maths
They bring maths to life through everyday contexts — shopping, cooking, budgeting, planning journeys — modelling curiosity and playfulness rather than perfection. For many children, this is the moment when maths shifts from something abstract and intimidating to something real, useful and manageable.
And the positive impact isn’t just on the children.
Volunteers often tell us how much they gain from the experience themselves. One shared after her first session:
"I absolutely loved it — it was the highlight of my day. It was amazing to see the children’s confidence grow even in just a few minutes. Watching that ‘I get it’ moment was incredibly rewarding."
This is what counting on your community is all about.
Improving numeracy has always been a group effort. With the support of volunteers, we have an opportunity to build lasting number confidence in children — just as literacy charities have done so brilliantly for reading.
If you’d like to play a part in building children’s confidence with numbers, we would love to hear from you. You can learn more about our work on the Number Champions website, complete our online form or email us at volunteer@numberchampions.org.uk
This National Numeracy Day, let’s celebrate the power of volunteers in our communities — and remind ourselves that when it comes to numbers, we really can count on each other.
Photo credit: Mikhail Nilov, Pexels
