To feel hurt and worried and to want to know why

[iolanthefairyqueen]

I recently applied to join a voluntary programme to help adult non-readers learn to read. I was really keen as I am a recently retired T A and I was looking for something where I could use my skills. I went through the interview process, provided references and attended the day's training. Along with everyone else I was told I had a reader waiting to start the following week. Then the day before I was due to meet my reader I had an e-mail to say there wasn't't a reader to pair with me for "various reasons" and that she would be in touch when she had assessed more people. That was last week and I haven't heard anything since. AIBU to be a bit concerned at the terse way I was dropped? I can't think of anything I said or did which could have changed their minds and I know my references were good. Should I ask for a reason?

Last week isn't very far off, I'd give them some more time. It might just have been the case that somebody dropped out, rather than you've been dropped. It probably takes time to assess people to match you with.

It's probably more about them than you

You are going to be working with people who are likely to be or have been vulnerable, to have or have had chaotic lifestyles or other problems that have stopped them from learning to read. So I would bet someone dropped out, or the people that were going to support them to participate didn't get a referral through in time. And/or they are really keen to make the right match and are dealing with this process in a sensitive and learner-centred way. These things take time.

From what it sounds like, the people need to be assessed so it's not about you, it's about them.

Maybe as you're new to the adult reading thing, they're trying to match you with someone who might not need as much work?

I agree that it could well be that one of the adults that needed help dropped out of the course, it's unlikely to be anything personal.

If it's the sort of service that relies on volunteers, it could be that the organisers of this scheme are understaffed and over stretched, so things might not run as smoothly behind the scenes as they could.