Staff at a Bermuda reinsurance firm have signed up to help youngsters with reading problems.

Now employees from Hiscox will spend time working for charity YouthNet as reading mentors.

The firm pitched in after senior vice-president for underwriting Ross Nottingham volunteered at YouthNet a year ago — and encouraged his colleagues to do the same.

Mr Nottingham said: “The idea was to form a team of mentors to follow a class of pupils throughout primary school.

“It is so important for these kids to have continuity and positive influence in their lives, which is what we hope to offer.”

A total of 12 staff will now link up with Northlands Primary School in Pembroke to help them with reading.

Mr Nottingham said he was inspired to sign up with YouthNet after meeting charity chief executive Clare Mello and learning that a 2007 survey showed that 64 per cent of young men and 54 per cent of young women aged 16-25 scored below international standards in literacy. Hiscox trainee underwriter Ashley Robinson said: “I really wanted to give back to something in the community. I lived away for 11 years and came back to Bermuda last year and I think helping YouthNet was a good opportunity that landed on our doorstep.”

Fellow volunteer Selange Gitschner, the firm’s marketing and events coordinator, added: “Bermuda is not in the best situation at the moment and the age group we are reaching out to is the age group we can impact the most.”

Ms Mello said: “We are delighted that Hiscox has taken this step to help us and provided such generous support. Students look forward to seeing their mentors each week and I know the Northlands students are very excited about meeting their new mentors.

“We have a target to have reading mentors in all classes in all four Hamilton primary schools and we would also like to involve more companies in this model.

“I’d encourage others to take the step that Hiscox has taken and help to change the lives of our young people.”

YouthNet can be contacted on 297-5400 or by email at clare.mello@youthnet.bm.