Education volunteer volunteer roles

Reading Volunteer

SeeAbility

Aldershot, Hampshire (On-site)

Unpaid role, expenses paid

Voluntary

Disability

Actively Interviewing

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Job description

Volunteer: Reading Volunteer

Hours: Flexible, as agreed

Do you love getting lost in a good book? Are you patient, kind, and passionate about helping others enjoy stories and conversation? Join us as a Reading Volunteer at SeeAbility and help make reading fun, inclusive, and meaningful for people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss.

What You Will Be Doing

As a Reading Volunteer, you will spend time reading with and supporting people we support to enjoy books, stories, magazines, poetry, and conversation. This could include:

Reading aloud in a relaxed and friendly way
Supporting people to choose books and topics they enjoy
Encouraging communication, confidence, and imagination
Sharing laughter, conversation, and meaningful one-to-one time
Helping create a calm and enjoyable reading experience

Whether it’s a favourite childhood story, an audiobook, or discovering something new together, your time will help bring books to life.

The Difference You Will Make

For many people we support, reading and shared storytelling can reduce isolation, build confidence, improve communication, and create joyful moments of connection.

Your support could help someone:

Feel more included and valued
Develop confidence and social skills
Discover new interests and experiences
Enjoy companionship and meaningful interaction
Experience the comfort and fun that stories can bring

Sometimes, simply having someone patient and understanding to spend time with can make a huge difference.

Skills Required

We are looking for volunteers who are:

Friendly, patient, and reliable
Empathic, understanding, and encouraging
Passionate about books, stories, and conversation
Good listeners with a positive attitude
Comfortable supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss

No previous experience is required — just enthusiasm, kindness, and a love of reading.

Requirements

Complete a DBS check
Provide references
Complete online training provided by SeeAbility

We will support you throughout the process.

The Benefits of Volunteering

Gaining valuable experience and skills
Meeting new people and becoming part of a supportive team
Making a genuine difference in someone’s life
Building confidence and communication skills
Sharing your love of books and storytelling
Receiving training and ongoing support
We cover travel expenses up to 20 miles

Organisation

SeeAbility View profile

Registered Charity

More than 1000

Our mission is to champion and deliver ambitious support and preventative services alongside people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss,

View profile

Posted on: 25 June 2026

Closing date: 23 September 2026 at 12:00

Tags: Social Care / Development, Autism, Education, Learning Disability, Social / Support Work

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.

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Reading Volunteer

Learn to Love to Read

London, Greater London (On-site)

Putney, Greater London

Roehampton, Greater London

Wandsworth, Greater London

Unpaid role, expenses not paid

Voluntary

Youth and Children

Actively Interviewing

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Job description

Learn to Love to Read offers one-to-one support to children who find learning to read challenging, in schools and online via Zoom.Our In-school volunteers are asked to commit 90 minutes, one afternoon a week, usually between 1-3 pm.
Our virtual volunteers are asked to commit 30-60 minutes, one afternoon a week, usually between 4-6 pm.

Full training and ongoing support is provided for all volunteers to provide them with a framework which supports children's reading skills, while also building their self-esteem, confidence and love of reading. Our volunteers support the same children each week, providing 20 minutes of one-to-one support for the whole academic year. This ensures a consistent and rewarding experience for both the volunteer and the children.

In Wandsworth, post-COVID, 20% of Key Stage 1 and 25% of Key Stage 2 children did not reach the expected standard of reading in summer 2025. Low literacy is linked to poverty and social exclusion, limiting options in life. Early literacy intervention is crucial to break this cycle. School closures due to COVID-19 have been tough for children from disadvantaged families.

Please note we only work with schools in the London borough of Wandsworth and all our volunteers need to live in or within easy reach of that borough.

In line with Safer Recruitment, all applicants are asked to complete an application form, provide references, take part in a face-to-face interview and ID check, and attend online training which includes safeguarding. All volunteers must have an enhanced DBS check which we arrange on your behalf. You will also be required to obtain checks from any country in which you've lived for more than three months from the age of 16 in line with Wandsworth's guidance. Once you have registered, we’ll send you a link to the application form.

Learn to Love to Read is committed to working without bias and offering equal opportunities for our volunteers. We are committed to valuing diversity and working inclusively across all our activities. Our aim is that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Organisation