Education Volunteer Roles

Nova New Opportunities is an educational charity based near Ladbroke Grove. As we ease out of London, we are looking for volunteers to help on day trips in and around London to support families in getting back to normality again.

Trips will include anything from horse riding through to the beach, farms and Kew Gardens. This is an opportunity to help families from marginalised communities while gaining experience of working with a small, friendly and supportive charity.

Volunteers will help the group leader to accompany groups of parents/guardians and their children on a variety of cultural/fun trips, helping to make them feel welcome. 

Suitable volunteers will be reliable and sociable and enjoy working with children. Volunteers must be available for day trips during school holidays, as this is when most of the trips take place.

Volunteers receive a full induction, and support from the Children and Young People Coordinator. Travel expenses on the outings and any entrance fees are covered, and some further expenses can also be claimed.

Job Description

Role Title:  

Volunteer Information Advice and Guidance Assistant (x 2) 

Where: 

Nova New Opportunities, 2 Thorpe Close, W10 5XL with travel to other locations within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC). 

When:  

April 2023, minimum commitment of 6 months 

2-5 hours weekly

Between 10am-2pm

Monday to Wednesday 

About Nova: 

Based in North Kensington since 1983 and serving its poorest wards & those of surrounding London boroughs, Nova works with individuals from marginalised and disadvantaged communities who are looking to develop their potential and achieve a better future for themselves. Nova brings about real and lasting change in people’s lives by addressing every person as an individual and seeking out ways to best support that person to reach their goals. We endeavour to help every person that comes to us who is motivated and committed to improving his or her life.  

Reaching 2,500+ people each year, we believe in improving people’s lives one person at a time, helping committed and motivated individuals to achieve their potential by: 

• Developing knowledge, education and confidence

• Connecting diverse groups

• Providing opportunities

Our work, operates on 2 levels:

• Grassroots Community Support – including responsive actions (e.g. Grenfell, COVID-19), education, IAG, family programme and volunteering  

• Wider Reaching Dialogue Events and Influencing – focussing on challenging stigma, prejudice and inequality – working with individuals, organisations, networks and decision makers to move through conversation to action

Purpose of role:

Support the Nova Information, Advice and Guidance Programme team respond to the challenges and needs of the community enabling them to thrive.

Role Description:

This role will act to assist Advisors delivering support to people helping them improve skills for employment purposes. With the disruption of Covid-19, many households have been thrown into a continuum of health and financial challenges which have in some cases demotivated and reduced self-esteem. In the short-term our aim is to intensively support 30 RBKC individuals rediscover their potential, increase their confidence and assist them in reaching their potential through training, volunteering and longer-term secure meaningful paid employment.

You will:

• Enjoy listening and helping others in a non-judgemental manner 

• Be able to work in a team and seek guidance when needed

• Have a naturally resourceful outlook

• Have a genuine interest in providing Information, Advice and Guidance

• Support advisors to successfully deliver robust services according to client needs

You need to be:

• DBS Checked

• Confident in the use of IT

• Some experience of supporting people 

• Inquisitive

• Committed

• Competent

• Reliable

• Honest

• Punctual

• Patient

• Fair

• Open minded

• Respectful of client information and circumstance 

• Clients may come from various cultural backgrounds and face different challenges. 

• Comfortable following Nova staff directions and working independently

Further information:

• Induction and appropriate training will be provided.

• IAG qualification or experience of community work would be desirable but not essential. 

Main point of contact/supervisor:

Head of IAG / Head of IAG Development and Strategy

How to apply: 

Please email your updated CV and brief covering letter (no more than one A4 page) outlining why you would like to join the IAG team.

About Nova:  

Based in North Kensington since 1983 and serving its poorest wards & those of surrounding London boroughs, Nova works with individuals from marginalised and disadvantaged communities who are looking to develop their potential and achieve a better future for themselves. Nova brings about real and lasting change in people’s lives by addressing every person as an individual and seeking out ways to best support that person to reach their goals. We endeavour to help every person that comes to us who is motivated and committed to improving his or her life.   

Reaching 2,500+ people each year, we believe in improving people’s lives one person at a time, helping committed and motivated individuals to achieve their potential by:  

• Developing knowledge, education and confidence 

• Connecting diverse groups

• Providing opportunities 

Our work, operates on 2 levels:

• Grassroots Community Support – including responsive actions (e.g. Grenfell, COVID-19), education, IAG, family programme and volunteering  

• Wider Reaching Dialogue Events and Influencing – focussing on challenging stigma, prejudice and inequality – working with individuals, organisations, networks and decision makers to move through conversation to action 

Role Description: 

This role will be to act as a teaching assistant to tutors delivering ESOL/ English classes for learners 19+. 

You will: 

• Enjoy working in a team 

• Provide tutorial support 

• Position yourself as a resource for learners 

• Work one-on-one or with smallert groups of learners who need additional help 

You need to be: 

• DBS Checked 

• Confident in the use of IT 

• Some experience of supporting learners with English 

• Committed

• Competent 

• Reliable

• Honest 

• Punctual 

• Patient 

• Fair 

• Open minded 

• Learners may come from various cultural backgrounds and face different learning challenges. You will need to be at ease whether supervising an entire class or working one-on-one with students.

• Comfortable following Nova staff directions and working independently 

Further information: 

• Induction and appropriate training will be provided.

• Teaching or coaching experience would be desirable but not essential. 

Role title: 

Volunteer Classroom Assistant (Online) – English, Maths, Science  

Where: 

Online (Zoom) / Nova New Opportunities, 2 Thorpe Close, W10 5XL

When: 

Immediately, minimum commitment of 3 months. 

Support 1-2 classes a week (45 minutes per class). 

English classes are currently held on Mondays and Wednesday between 16:30 and 19:15. 

Maths and Science classes are currently held on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 16:15 and 19:45.

About Nova:  

Based in North Kensington since 1983 and serving its poorest wards & those of surrounding London boroughs, Nova works with individuals from marginalised and disadvantaged communities who are looking to develop their potential and achieve a better future for themselves. Nova brings about real and lasting change in people’s lives by addressing every person as an individual and seeking out ways to best support that person to reach their goals. We endeavour to help every person that comes to us who is motivated and committed to improving his or her life.   

Reaching 2,500+ people each year, we believe in improving people’s lives one person at a time, helping committed and motivated individuals to achieve their potential by:  

• Developing knowledge, education and confidence 

• Connecting diverse groups

• Providing opportunities 

Our work, operates on 2 levels:

• Grassroots Community Support – including responsive actions (e.g. Grenfell, COVID-19), education, IAG, family programme and volunteering  

• Wider Reaching Dialogue Events and Influencing – focussing on challenging stigma, prejudice and inequality – working with individuals, organisations, networks and decision makers to move through conversation to action 

Purpose of role: 

Support the Nova Family Programme tutors in facilitating online home school sessions.

Role Description: 

This role will be to act as a teaching assistant to tutors delivering online English, maths and science classes (for young people at Key Stage 2 and 3). With the disruption of Covid-19, many families have been thrown into the unknown world of home schooling – made even more challenging when your own education isn’t up to scratch or English is your second language. We are delivering a free programme of online home school support to those who have been most negatively impacted by being out of school. Now that Schools have reopened, we will be continuing these sessions to ensure that learners do not fall behind as Schools focus on catching up on lost learning. The aim is to support children who may be falling behind with their studies and mitigating as far as possible the widening attainment gap. 

You will: 

• Enjoy working in a team 

• Provide tutorial support 

• Position yourself as a resource for learners 

• Work one-on-one or with breakout groups of learners who need additional help 

• Facilitate the zoom classroom as required 

You need to be: 

• DBS Checked 

• Confident in the use of IT 

• Some experience of supporting learners with Maths/ English 

• Experience of working with young people 

• Committed

• Competent 

• Reliable

• Honest 

• Punctual 

• Patient 

• Fair 

• Open minded 

• Learners may come from various cultural backgrounds and face different learning challenges. You will need to be at ease whether supervising an entire class or working one-on-one with students.

• Comfortable following Nova staff directions and working independently 

Further information: 

• Induction and appropriate training will be provided.

• Teaching or coaching experience would be desirable but not essential. 

Main point of contact/supervisor: 

Matthew Barnett 

IMPORTANT: An enhanced DBS check is required for this role, and so we are unfortunately only able to accept applications from UK-based applicants or British nationals living abroad.

Make a lasting impact on future generations and your community, by becoming a governor for your local college.

Peridot Partners have partnered with the Department of Education to revolutionise the education governance sector, by appointing 137 new governors to college boards across England.

Education governors come from all backgrounds and sectors with either professional or lived experience that can help the board to make their decisions. A passion for education and future generations is a must, but you don’t need to have any experience in the education sector to become a governor.

Being an education governor or trustee is a rewarding and fulfilling venture for any of us. You don’t need to be a Chief Executive, a senior leader or even an educationalist to join the ever-growing pool of people who regularly attend board and committee meetings to influence and impact the quality of education delivered by our schools, sixth forms, further education colleges and universities. 

As an education governor, you will draw on the professional experience of your working career and your own life experiences to support and challenge the strategic direction of the organisation. You will reflect on the lessons that you have learnt through education, work and life to ask questions and understand how decisions being made on an operational level will and could impact the students and their potential for achievement.

Peridot Partners and the Department of Education are, together, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate(s) will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can see the available opportunities and register your interest. 

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.

Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

We’re looking for volunteers who are:

• Reliable and friendly
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Passionate about customer service
• Interested in learning about and supporting the work of Sense

Volunteering in one of our Sense Shops will involve a variety of tasks that you can get involved with. These include:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health, safety and social distancing measures to ensure the safety of everyone

We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world. This is why it is important to us that our volunteers feel supported and rewarded. Here is what we can offer you as a volunteer:

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

The Evelyn Glennie Foundation, a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation, seeks new volunteers, ambassadors and Trustees to help us bring our unique mission to life - to teach the world to listen.

If you are fascinated by the skills required to develop impactful listening, inspired by the power of music to bring people together in harmony, or simply excited to help us explore and build our mission, please read on.

If you are interested in playing a vital role in our governance, scrutiny and strategy, you may wish to consider putting yourself forward as a Trustee.

Our Board seeks a number of individuals to join our founding group, including Dame Evelyn herself. Between us we already bring strong experience from the charity sector, education, academia and musical performance. In addition we seek imaginative individuals who can embody our mission and provide leadership at Board level in a number of areas, including:

· Financial planning (Treasurer)

· HR and workforce development

· IT and digital skills

· Business development

· Governance and leadership (Chair)

This is not an exhaustive list and we welcome applications from individuals seeking to bring wider experience or insight to our work.

Independent Trustee - The PA Foundation

The PA Foundation is looking for a passionate and collaborative independent trustee to join its board.

The PA Foundation aims to develop and inspire people, particularly those facing disadvantage, to be the innovators and leaders of tomorrow, applying their ingenuity to solve the world’s biggest challenges.

The PA Foundation is an independent charity expanding access to quality education, skills, and careers – particularly in STEM-related fields – and working to address the underlying barriers holding people from disadvantaged backgrounds back.

Bring your professional skills and experiences to the LTE Group, one of the UK’s largest education providers, who seek to add further expertise to their UCEN Manchester Divisional Board and Audit & Risk Committee.

Salary: £3,000 p/a and 5-8 hours per month

Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 10th June

Who we are.

LTE Group is a family of five education and training providers working together to help communities gain skills to improve their life chances and grow their earning potential. Across LTE Group, we transform lives through the power of education and training, delivering further education, higher education, apprenticeships, and professional development, and we work in prisons to help offenders turn their lives around.

We are one of the largest education providers in the UK, and our provision spans a wide and diverse portfolio of education and training. Given the scope and scale of our delivery, outstanding governance is vital if we are to continue delivering high-quality provision, which leads to excellent outcomes for our learners whilst remaining compliant.

About the role.

To ensure that our governance remains robust and that, as a group of non-executives, we are able to continue offering support, advice and scrutiny to our senior leaders, we are now seeking to appoint new members to one of our committees and one of our Divisional Boards.

Firstly, we seek to appoint a co-opted member to join the UCEN Manchester Board. This Divisional Board provides oversight of the operation of the higher education provision offered by UCEN Manchester on behalf of the LTE Group.

We also seek to add a new co-opted member to our Audit & Risk Committee, whose remit is organisation-wide and whose support and challenge are vital if we are to ensure that, as an organisation, we remain compliant and can manage and mitigate the risks that affect us.

Both the UCEN Manchester Divisional Board and the Audit & Risk Committee meet three times per year, and members of these committees are required to attend in person.

Who we are looking for.

Co-opted Members are expected to support the work of the LTE Group Board of Governors through their membership of a divisional board or a group committee. You will be expected to contribute your expertise, skills and knowledge to support the operation of the UCEN Manchester Divisional Board or the Audit & Risk Committee and ensure the work is done efficiently and effectively.

As such, we are seeking candidates who are experts in their chosen fields and can demonstrate a strong interest in all aspects of the LTE Group’s broad provision, including further and higher education. Commitments to lifelong learning, high-quality education and training, and equality and diversity are all essential.

For the UCEN Manchester Divisional Board we are seeking candidates with senior leadership experience in the English higher education system, who have knowledge of OfS and TEF frameworks.

For the Audit & Risk Committee, we are seeking candidates with professional expertise and experience in cyber security.

Candidates for both roles must be able to work positively with others and contribute as a team member, have the ability to make reasoned decisions and be willing to contribute to establishing and monitoring performance at a strategic level.

We are seeking candidates who are keen to commit their time and knowledge to further the strategic objectives of the LTE Group and are strongly aligned with the values, ethos and mission of the organisation.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 10th June.

Job Title: Volunteer E-Learning Designer

Location: Camden, London (Remote option available)

Duration: 3 months

Hours: Approximately 20 hours total

About the Role: We are currently seeking a volunteer E-Learning Designer to assist in the creation of a transformative anti-racism teacher training program. This program is designed to support educators in fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments. As a volunteer, you will play a crucial role in designing and refining a series of e-learning modules using Articulate Rise 360.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with our team to transform written content into engaging and interactive e-learning modules.
• Design and integrate interactive elements, visuals, and multimedia components to enhance learning and retention.
• Assist in the completion of the final three modules of our curriculum.
• Revise and enhance the first five modules based on feedback and best practices in instructional design.
• Ensure all modules are coherent in style, effective in content delivery, and aligned with our educational goals.

Requirements:

• Experience in e-learning development, preferably with Articulate Rise 360.
• Strong design skills with an ability to create visually appealing and interactive educational content.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently from a remote setting or within our office.
• A commitment to anti-racism education and a passion for creating impactful learning experiences.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to contribute to a significant and impactful educational project.
• Experience in a collaborative project that bridges educational content with innovative e-learning solutions.
• Flexibility to work remotely and accommodate your schedule.

Application Process: Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience with e-learning platforms and your interest in anti-racism education. We look forward to learning about your background and how you can contribute to this important initiative.

This volunteer position offers the chance to gain unique experience in the field of e-learning and contribute meaningfully to the education sector's efforts to combat racism. If you have the skills and the passion, we encourage you to apply.

Role title: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Location: Flexible (travel to London will be required at least once a quarter)
Salary: N/A (Volunteer role)
Time commitment: 1.5-2 days per month
Contract: The Chair is appointed for an initial 3-year term with the option of renewal for up to 3 terms. The maximum term for all trustees (including the Chair) is 9 years.

Purpose of the role: 

Are you seeking a board opportunity with a high-impact charity that aligns with your values and vision for society? Passionate about refugee welfare, integration, and unlocking talent for the UK? This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to join a growing, impact-focused and ambitious charity supporting refugees to access meaningful employment and build a new life. 

The Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs Breaking Barriers effectively, in service of our vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity. 

The Chair of Breaking Barriers provides visionary leadership and strategic direction, ensuring that the organisation effectively achieves its mission while adhering to its core values. This pivotal role involves governance oversight, board leadership, executive support, and serving as an ambassador for the organisation.

What’s in it for you?

Holding the high-profile role at the Chair of Trustees have a number of benefits, including the following:

• Contributing to an important cause: Having appropriate support for refugees in the UK to access meaningful employment does not only benefit the refugee community. It also supports businesses to have access to a wider talent pool and helps foster integration in the society.
• Opportunity to make a difference: As the new Chair for Breaking Barriers, you will have the opportunity to drive the growth of a highly impactful Charity with current funding of circa £4 million per year. Breaking Barriers have ambitious plans to extend its impact and you will play a part in spearheading this.
• Expanding your network: Breaking Barriers partners with some of the most high-profile corporates such as Macquarie, Bank of America, LinkedIn, Ikea, and the Big Yellow Group. Being the Chair of Trustee means that you will have exposure to these organisations. You will also have access to other senior stakeholders within Breaking Barriers’ wider network, amongst the trustees, executive, and founding teams.

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.

Other considerations:

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.
• Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.

How to apply:

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. Please apply via Charity Jobs by submitting a cover letter (up to approximately 2 A4 pages), referencing how you believe you best meet the person specification. You are also welcome to include any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process. Please view the attached recruitment pack for further essential information for candidates.

Closing date for applications is 11:59pm on Sunday 2nd June. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background. If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager Dani Meier for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).

Applications close at 12 p.m. Monday 20th May.

About the role.

Following the decision of our current Chair, the Solihull College & University CentreCorporation welcomes interest from candidates who have the time, passion, experience, and interest to become a Governor and our Chair Designate in summer 2024.

Initially joining as the named Chair Designate, with time to engage in an extended and supportive handover period through the 2024 autumn term, we look forward to welcoming the person appointed as Chair of Solihull College & University Centre from early 2025.

The Chair provides leadership to the Corporation and its members, working closely with the Principal & CEO and the Director of Corporate Governance, Risk & Compliance. Supported by two Vice Chairs, the Chair ensures Governors have oversight of organisational development and are made aware of risks affecting strategy, finance, staffing, student experience, or reputation, through receiving plans and reports from the Principal & CEO and her senior team.

The Corporation is comparable to a board of non-executive directors and is composed of members from the local community, stakeholders, students and staff members.

Actively involved in long-term visioning and approving the educational character of Solihull College & University Centre, the Chair ensures Governors’ diverse skills, areas of specialist knowledge, networks, and professional opinions are used for the advancement of the organisation and in the most appropriate way.

With up to 19 Members of the Corporation, plus two External Members, the Chair ensures professional engagement between the Corporation and both employees and learners, through both formal means (meetings) and informal opportunities (such as events and visits).

Governors help the organisation to maintain a long-term focus whilst working on its shorter-term goals and plans. The day-to-day management is very much the responsibility of the Principal & CEO, and the executive management team. The Corporation is advised by a Director of Corporate Governance, Risk & Compliance who is part of the senior leadership team.

There are seven meetings of the Corporation throughout the academic year (September through to July). In addition to this, there are additional meetings of the Search & Governance Committee, the Audit & Risk Committee, the Remuneration Committee, and the Financial Oversight Group. Opportunities for Governors to participate in visits and meetings with students are arranged throughout the year.

It is expected that – with preparation for meetings, regular contact with Governors and both the Principal & CEO and Director of Corporate Governance, Risk & Compliance, plus any ambassadorial duties and training – the person appointed should plan to spend up to five days per month fulfilling the duties of the Chair.

Who we are looking for.

To be successful in this non-executive Chair role, we believe it is important that the person appointed brings experience in strategic leadership. When considering the requirement to be the ‘critical friend’ for a chief executive of a complex £50m business of education and training, set across several campuses and operating across the West Midlands, having a Chair with skills and knowledge which supports the development of the Principal & CEO, the executive team, and the broader Corporation and its members, is important.

Ideally, our next Chair will be an experienced non-executive, and know from experience the difference between operational leadership, and strategic oversight and scrutiny. The application of this knowledge will be welcomed, so that we may continue to benefit from the mutual respect that exists between the non-executive and executive representatives at the College.

If the person appointed doesn’t have direct experience of being a non-executive director or board member, then we will expect them to be able to demonstrate their ability to chair well and know how to get the very best out of a talented and committed voluntary non-executive group.

More than experience, we need a Chair who is passionate about the work that we do to transform the lives of our learners and provide opportunities to help shape their futures. The further education sector is a wonderful and enriching part of our education sector and a place where anyone, with any background or starting point can come, learn, and progress.

We are very open to the background and sector experience of the next Chair. We recognise the many potential benefits of appointing someone with either public, private, or third-sector leadership experience.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 12 p.m. Monday 20th May. 

About Bookmark

Bookmark exists to change children’s life stories through the joy of reading. We partner with schools to develop whole school reading cultures and to provide one-to-one reading support.

For the children who need us, we’re changing their story. 

About the role

Each year, one in four children leave primary school unable to read well and disadvantaged children are disproportionately affected. Struggling to read can contribute to poor educational attainment, lower literacy in adulthood and has even been linked to a lower life expectancy. 

Bookmark volunteers spend one hour a week reading stories and playing games with a child aged between five and ten years old, on our secure online platform. The programme involves two 30-minute sessions a week with the same child, for six weeks. You book your programme through the Bookmark Volunteer Hub and select sessions at times that work with your schedule.

“It was such a wonderful experience. I was very happy knowing that I was helping someone. The child really improved a lot during the 6 weeks. It was really rewarding for me to see the improvement.” — Joe, Bookmark volunteer

Why volunteer with Bookmark?

New government data shows that attainment fell further for poorer pupils this year which has widened the attainment to the largest it has been in 10 years.  

As a Bookmark volunteer, you’ll help to bridge this gap. You’ll:

• Help children who struggle with their reading gain essential skills at a crucial age. This will prepare them to move up the school, ready to tackle new challenges without falling further behind. Three quarters of our volunteers noticed their reader become more confident with their reading.
• Make learning to read fun by bringing your own personality into the sessions and getting to know your reader’s interests. It’s amazing when you introduce a book, comic or poem for the first time that they love! 90% of teachers said that pupils enjoy reading more after our programme.
• Give a child one-to-one attention and be a role model. Teachers have told us that children really benefit from this dedicated time and found it boosted their self-esteem and confidence as well as their reading. You can read more about this in our Impact Report.

Helping a child with their reading is also really fun and rewarding. Over 60% of our volunteers said their own wellbeing had improved because of volunteering with Bookmark.

Is volunteering with Bookmark right for me?

Our volunteers are all ages and from all walks of life. At Bookmark we aim to make volunteering accessible to as many people as possible, so we can help more children.

• Are you over 18 and currently living in the UK?
• Are you passionate about literacy and its importance?
• Are you able to show enthusiasm, encouragement, empathy and patience?
• Can you commit to two 30-minute sessions a week, for six consecutive weeks?
• Are you willing to complete at least 3 six-week programmes a year?
• Can you provide two references for your application (for safeguarding reasons)?
• Do you have access to a PC, laptop or Chromebook with a webcam and internet connection (iPads, phones and/or tablets are not compatible), and do you feel relatively comfortable using technology?
  • If NO, then you can still apply to be to volunteer on our face-to-face programmes in certain locations.

Main duties and objectives

• Help children who struggle with their reading gain essential skills at a crucial age. This will prepare them to move up the school, ready to tackle new challenges without falling further behind. Three quarters of our volunteers noticed their reader become more confident with their reading.
• Make learning to read fun by bringing your own personality into the sessions and getting to know your reader’s interests. It’s amazing when you introduce a book, comic or poem for the first time that they love! 90% of teachers said that pupils enjoy reading more after our programme.
• Give a child one-to-one attention and be a role model. Teachers have told us that children really benefit from this dedicated time and found it boosted their self-esteem and confidence as well as their reading. You can read more about this in our Impact Report.

Bookmark is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We aim to create an environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.

Bookmark is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all sections of society and communities we operate in.

Bookmark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being and welfare of children and requires everyone associated with the charity, including all trustees, employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are Wales' most influential think tank. We are looking for up to four new people to join our team as several long-standing trustees stand down.

Trustees are responsible for all aspects of the Bevan Foundation’s business, although much of the day to day running is delegated to staff. You’d be doing everything from deciding our priorities, making sure we have the right resources and use them effectively, ensuring we meet our legal obligations, and spreading the word about our work.

You’re expected to attend four board meetings a year, our AGM in November, and to contribute between meetings. 

We are not looking for specific qualifications or experiences, as we will give you training and support especially if this is your first board role.  We welcome applications from people from all walks of life but we’d especially like to hear from you if you are younger, in a front-line role, or of Black, Asian or minority ethnic heritage. 

The role is unpaid but we will reimburse reasonable expenses to enable you to participate.

For more information and to find out how to apply please download the info pack on our website.