Lancashire Volunteer Partnership

Mill Hill (AM)

Livesey (AL)

Darwen (AD)

Overview:

This opportunity will be supporting the library service.

We are seeking volunteers who are: 

• Friendly, approachable and happy to engage with people of all ages
• Punctual, dependable and reliable
• Happy to work as part of a team
• Confident in working with the public and committed to equality and diversity
• Committed to excellent, patient and thoughtful, customer care
• Vigilant, with attention to detail
• Enjoy helping people

Volunteers will be required to provide two character references and successfully complete occupational health checks prior to starting their role. An enhanced DBS check may be required at a later date.

TASKS:

Customer Care:

• To welcome customers to the building, support them in the use of library services and encourage them to become regular users.
• Assisting customers with the use of the self-service kiosks and Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC).
• To help find library stock for visitors, reservations and library staff.
• Supporting the use of public access PCs, including online services e.g. Ancestry, Theory Test Pro, eBooks and online reservations.
• Providing general information about library services.

Library Care:

• Maintaining displays and ensuring that the library portrays a bright and attractive environment for customers.
• General tidying, shelving and sorting stock.
• Topping up the photocopier, kiosks and printers with paper.
• Book maintenance e.g. jacketing / tabbing / page repairs etc.

Teamwork:

• Communicating with library staff.
• Promoting library services, e.g. reading schemes, events and activities and online resources.
• Supporting and preparing for library activities and events e.g. children’s groups, storytime, coffee mornings and talks.
• Providing ideas and suggestions to improve library services.
• Attending relevant training and meetings.

Workplace Policies and Procedures:

• Following the agreed procedures to report faults/repairs/health and safety issues e.g. building, furniture, equipment, accidents, near misses, ICT
• Supporting record keeping, e.g. periodic visitor counts
• Following the agreed procedures including reporting verbally to the supervisor or manager.
• Log volunteering hours via an on-line computer system

REQUIRED QUALITIES:

• Literate with good spoken and written English language skills
• Numerate
• Comfortable with using IT
• Physical ability to move library resources and trolleys, and be on your feet for long periods of time
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Organisational skills
• The ability to carry out tasks with minimal supervision
• Ability to contribute effectively as part of a team
• Experience of dealing directly with the public
• Excellent understanding of the principles and delivery of customer care
• Adaptable to changes in ways of working

TRAINING:

Training will be provided where necessary and may be in the form of peer support, distance learning or trainer led.

Age:       16+

SCHEDULE:

Monday               10am to 7pm

Tuesday               Closed

Wednesday         1pm to 5pm

Thursday              1pm to 5pm

Friday                   10am to 5pm

Saturday              10am to 2pm

LOCATION:

Darwen Library, Knott Street, Darwen. BB3 3BU

Open Hours

Mon Closed

Tues 13.00 - 19.00

Wed Closed

Thur 09.00 - 13.00

Fri 13.00 - 17.00

Sat 09.00 - 13.00

Sun Closed

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service - Fire Cadet Support

We are looking for volunteers to support Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Cadet Programme. Cadets are young people aged between 13-15 years who are involved in fire service activities and local community action. The Cadet Units are run in various locations across Lancashire and operate from the local fire station or school.

The Cadet Unit in Preston is held either at the local school or local fire station depending on the session type, the locations and times are:

• We are looking for a commitment of around 3 hours per week, ideally for a full school year (September to July).

  Benefits of Volunteering:

• Being a positive role model to young people in your local area
• Being part of a team working environment and meeting new people
• Inspiring young people to make a positive contribution to society
• Enhancing your leadership, communication and teaching skills
• Receiving on-going training and enhancing employability

• Learning about the Fire and Rescue Service

  You must be willing to go through an induction process and relevant background checks; this role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and medical screening.

  Tasks

• Supporting Cadets at Community events
• Providing direct support to organisational staff during delivery of training to young people
• Helping with theoretical fire safety tasks
• Undertaking basic administrative tasks using ICT systems
• Helping to arrange the Fire Cadet programme
• There may also be opportunities to partake in physical activities, however, these are optional and can be discussed on interview
• To log volunteering hours monthly and submit expenses where applicable via an on-line computer system

• To complete minimum level training e.g. safeguarding and commit to further training relevant to role

  Qualities

• A respect for race and diversity
• A non-judgemental attitude
• A commitment to confidentiality
• Good listening and communicating skills
• A willingness to help develop and work with young people
• Patience

• You must be over 18 years of age and able to get to and from the location of the Fire Cadet Unit applied for

  Training

Training will be provided where necessary and may be in the form of peer support, distance learning or trainer led. Volunteers must have completed the required training before any activity can be undertaken and may be asked to regularly refresh training where required.