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Online Reading Volunteer

Remote
Unpaid role, expenses not paid
Voluntary

Actively Interviewing

This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!

Job description

At Doorstep Library, we’re dedicated to bringing the magic of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children who need our support.

With 1 in 4 children in the UK leaving primary school unable to read or write properly, we recruit and train in-person and online volunteers to introduce children from under-resourced areas to the pleasure of reading.

 

What’s Involved?

As a Doorstep Library reading volunteer, you’ll visit the same families via Zoom every week with eBooks to share with the children and encourage their love of reading.

You will:

  • Handpick eBooks from our online portals based on the children’s age, interests, and reading level
  • Join families via Zoom with your volunteer partner for 20-minute reading sessions  
  • Make notes after the session to keep track of how the child/ren are progressing

Our unique home-based approach allows our volunteers to build trusting relationships with families, helping them to connect with the community and equip them with the skills they need to succeed later in life.

 

When and Where?

You can be based anywhere in the UK to become a Doorstep Library online volunteer.

  • Time commitment: One evening a week (Regular Volunteer), one evening every other week (Semi-Regular Volunteer) or once every 3 weeks (Stand-In Volunteer) during school term times
  • Hours per week: 2
  • Days: Our projects run on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays from 4:30pm – 6:30pm

 

Skills/Experience Needed

  • Be able to make a regular weekly commitment or once every 3 weeks for a Stand-In Volunteer during school term time
  • Be compliant with our safeguarding procedures, complete an Enhanced DBS, Child Barred List check, and provide 2 references
  • Enjoy spending time with children and believe in education for all
  • Have comfortable fluency in English
  • Be non-judgmental and respectful of a variety of lifestyles and children’s learning
  • Have excellent communication skills – be able to listen to families and communicate effectively with Project Leaders (including via text/emails/calls with Doorstep Library staff)
  • Be confident using technology – for connecting with families via Zoom and completing records
  • Be organised – be able to multi-task in a multi-faceted role comprising of much more than solely reading to children
  • Be reliable – always attending a pre-agreed session and giving plenty of notice in advance of absences
  • Be friendly – to build good relationships with families, your volunteer partner and the rest of the team
  • Be confident – to lead the session or mentor a new volunteer
  • Be patient, persistent and flexible – tailoring your approach to each family’s needs

Doorstep Library is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and all those it comes into contact with. All volunteers undergo rigorous safer recruitment processes including specified interview questions, a DBS check, and the collection of written and/or verbal references.  Safeguarding training is a mandatory part of the induction process for all volunteers, and they are expected to always adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures.  

Application resources
Posted by
Doorstep Library View profile Organisation type Registered Charity Company size 21 - 50
Posted on: 22 October 2024
Closing date: 20 January 2025 at 17:00
Tags: IT, Teaching, Early Years, Education, Literacy, Safeguarding, Youth / Children

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.