Library Volunteer Roles

Could you help to change a care experienced child's life by reading with them for just an hour a week over a six month period? We're looking for new volunteers to read online. Reading Heroes is highly individualised with each book chosen specifically for you and the child.  All books are provided and you will receive ongoing personal support from our dedicated Reading Heroes team as well as opportunities to meet with other volunteers.

With the number of care experienced children in the UK growing and the research telling us that they are more at risk of social, emotional and mental health problems, Reading Heroes is a more important project than ever.

As a Reading Heroes volunteer, you’ll be instilling a love of stories which can have a life long positive impact. 80% of participants tell us they enjoy reading more after taking part.

“Thankyou for helping me read better and for making reading fun and not stupid boring." Reading Heroes participant

"Before I never used to open a book because I thought I couldn’t read but now I can. I used to think it was boring reading before but now I don't." - from a learner working with an ALT Reading Coach

The Adult Literacy Trust (ALT) wants to help adult learners break the cycle of poor literacy by offering them personalised reading support.

We offer one-to-one literacy support as a complement to formal teaching in education settings. We are dedicated to ensuring that adults who wish to improve their literacy skills - and to increase their life chances - receive the help they need to become confident readers.

Would you like to support an adult learner to become a confident reader? We are looking for volunteers to become trained Reading Coaches and work with adult learners on a one-to-one (or sometimes one-to-two) basis.

What it looks like in practice:

• Meeting a learner weekly, on-site at their college campus, typically before or after their formal classes for about an hour a week
• Building a constructive relationship with a learner
• Helping to check the learner’s understanding, build their confidence in reading, and provide support where needed
• Helping the learner practice skills they’re learning in the classroom and encourage confidence and resilience so that they persist with their studies

Where and when:

We have opportunities across London and we'll work around your schedule.

ALT is partnered with a range of colleges across London as we assign you to a location that works for you. All our locations are listed on our website.

The timings are flexible - ALT match you to a learner based on your respective availability. Typically, most ALT sessions take place sometime between 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday.

Personal Specification:

No prior teaching experience or qualification is needed. We provide full training so that volunteers are confident to start their sessions. However, volunteers must:

• Be at least 18
• Be able to speak and write English well enough to communicate clearly.
• Have a minimum education of a secondary school level or equivalent (i.e. hold a GCSE or equivalent, in any subject).
• Be willing to undergo a DBS check (provided by ALT)
• Have the right to volunteer in the UK 

About us:

The Adult Literacy Trust provides adults with one-to-one support to improve their reading skills and confidence, as a complement to formal education provision, ensuring that individuals who wish to improve their literacy skills receive the help they need to become successful readers, and to increase their life chances.

Delivered through a network of specially trained volunteer Reading Coaches, our charity works closely with learning providers - such as Further Education Colleges and Institutes for Adult Learning - to assist people from some of the most disadvantaged communities who could benefit from enhanced support, strengthening learners’ outcomes from their participation in adult community education.

Role description for Literacy Specialist (Voluntary role)
"It’s been a life-changing experience. Last week I read a book to my grandson. I never read to my children because I couldn’t.” Peter, from Read Easy Poole

Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups. Read Easy groups are changing the lives of individual adults across the country by providing them with the support they need to learn to read, and in turn opening doors for them to all sorts of new opportunities in life. You can read about the difference Read Easy makes here on our website.

Outline of the Literacy Specialist role
The Literacy Specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring that everyone who comes to Read Easy to improve their reading gets the support that they need to succeed.
How we will support you
You will be provided with a Literacy Specialist Information Pack and the Management Team Handbook, policies, training/induction and guidance specifically needed for this role, including access to support from a Read Easy UK Regional Adviser, via your Team Leader. You will also be invited to Read Easy UK’s regional forums and annual conference which give volunteers an opportunity for networking with those from other groups.
What you will be doing
● Providing literacy support to the Coordinator and Reading Coaches.
● Visiting reading pairs to advise on specific situations and challenges that Readers and Coaches may be facing.
● Contributing to the content, delivery and organisation of coach meetings.
● Creating a ‘Resources Box’ containing a range of useful activities and resources that Coaches can use to support and extend their Readers’ learning.
● Assembling ‘Starter Packs’ for Coaches and Readers, using guidance provided.
● Attending Management Team meetings, typically every 6-8 weeks.
The Skills you will need
● A background in teaching reading/literacy (preferably, but not necessarily, with adults).
● An understanding of the difference between the needs of adults and children in the learning process.
● A knowledge of the range of teaching resources that are available for adults, or awillingness to research them.

● Reasonable confidence in using IT
● The ability to use initiative and work independently
● A willingness to abide by Read easy policies and procedures
● An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for and offer support to the Team
● A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included
● Energy and enthusiasm with an average of two hours a week to commit to the role, ideally some during the day.
What is in it for you?
● Use your knowledge and skills as part of a team to support Reader achievement
● Meet and work collaboratively with new people
● Be active and engaged, adding value to your local community
● Receive outstanding Reading Coach Training

Interested?
If you think you can offer the time, skills, and experience that we are looking for and would be interested in taking up this role, please contact the person who sent you this role description.
Please note: All Read Easy volunteer roles are subject to Safer Recruitment procedures which include verification of identity and two references, and eligibility for Management Team roles in line with Charity Commission regulations for trustees.