Doorstep Library Makes Appeal for More Volunteers

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Help bring the joy of books to children across the borough

Volunteers can work face to face or online

Doorstep Library is a community-focused charity dedicated to bringing the magic of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children across London.

It currently has volunteering opportunities in Fulham Broadway, Parsons Green, Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush and East Acton.

Its unique home-based service means it is there in person or online, finding the most appropriate books for every child it visits, building a relationship with the whole family.

Volunteers encourage both parents and children to read for pleasure together from a young age. This kind of tailored support enables it to help prepare children for school and broaden their opportunities in life.

You can volunteer on either a Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday during school term time starting at 4.30pm and finishing at 7.00pm or starting at 3:45pm and finishing at 6:30pm depending on the project.

You volunteer with the same volunteer partner each week and read with five families for 20 minutes each, visiting families either inside their homes or on the doorstep, depending on family preference.

Volunteers can work at people’s homes or online.

If you can’t commit on a weekly basis, whilst regular volunteers see the same families on a weekly basis, stand-in volunteers help to cover sessions when the regular volunteers are on holiday, unwell or for whatever reason are unable to make their usual reading session.

The charity asks that you volunteer 12 times or more across the academic year between September and July. Some volunteers like to volunteer once a month while others prefer to volunteer multiple times across three months followed by a quieter period.

Regular volunteers must be able to make a regular weekly commitment during school term time of at least 9 months and be compliant with the charity’s safeguarding procedures, complete an Enhanced DBS and Child Barred List check and provide two references.

They must enjoy spending time with children and believe in education for all as well as having a comfortable fluency in English.

You can book into one of Doorstep Library’s virtual Information sessions to find out more about what it does and about all of our volunteer roles. Email Adela at adela@doorsteplibrary.org.uk for more details or visit the charity’s web site.

Doorstep Library Network is registered with the Charity Commission: 1158197

 

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October 3, 2022