Volunteer With Libraries

What is a Reading Friends Volunteer?

Reading Friends volunteers provide companionship and conversation with Reading Friends participants of all ages, either one-to-one or in a group, and use reading in any format to spark conversations. We are particularly keen to recruit volunteers who can help boost the confidence of newer and emerging readers.

What will I be doing?

Reading Friends volunteers and participants talk on a regular basis either by phone, using online video services or in person. The conversations are based around reading material, but this is not restricted to books; you could discuss a newspaper or magazine article, a blog post, a comic, a memory box or reminiscence pack, or even a play.

The Library will match volunteers and participants based on shared interests, access to technology and regularity of conversations.

You do not need to be a literature expert, a love of reading and a desire to help people feel more involved in their community is all that is required. The reading material is a way to spark conversations and connections, share stories and have fun.

A selection of different reading materials in different formats will be made available for volunteers and participants so you can discover what works best for your conversations.

Is it for me?

This role will suit you if you:

• Are enthusiastic about reading in all forms
• Can choose reading material based on shared interests
• Are friendly, approachable and can build rapport through conversation
• Are patient, empathetic and have good listening skills
• Can provide support and understanding to less confident readers
• Are concerned about social isolation and poor mental health in your community
• Have a few hours a month to make a positive difference to other people’s lives
• Understand the importance of safeguarding, confidentiality and can follow guidelines
• Are willing to undertake online training and contribute to the evaluation of the project

Why should I volunteer with you?

This is the perfect opportunity for anyone who loves reading and wants to make a real and direct difference to your community with conversation and friendship. Due to Covid-19 and social distancing measures, more people than ever are feeling stressed and confined as their lives have been turned upside down; being a Reading Friends Volunteer means helping people feel less lonely, feel more included and maintain good mental health. You will be serving in your local community, meeting new people, and helping others.

Our volunteers receive full training for the role, have regular contact with their manager and access to a variety of online training for personal and professional development.

We recognise the importance of volunteers in helping us to deliver a better service, so we reimburse costs and our friendly staff offer support, guidance and a warm welcome. On our last volunteer survey (October 2019) our staff welcome was rated 4.8 out of 5 stars!