Calling all book lovers!
One of our grant holders, Doorstep Library, is looking for volunteers to read books to children.
One in three children have never been read a bedtime story. They’ve never pictured themselves as the hero of the story, implored their parents for “just one more page”, or gone to sleep dreaming of what might happen next.You could help to change that.
Doorstep Library is looking for volunteers to read to children in London. Most readers visit children at home, for 20 minutes at a time.
About Doorstep Library
Olivia Rawnsley, Volunteer Engagement Manager, explains, “Our whole purpose is to encourage reading for pleasure. We’re all about having fun, getting creative, being silly and nurturing a love of reading, so that families have the tools to continue reading outside of our sessions.”
Doorstep Library currently has 187 volunteer readers but is always looking for more. As Ruth O’Malley, Head of Fundraising, says, “The more volunteers that we have, the more children that we can support.”
Visiting families at home helps children to see books as fun rather than purely educational, which is particularly beneficial for children who struggle with reading at school.
Olivia shares, “So many children go to secondary school unable to read properly. It’s a massive barrier to their education and really affects their confidence. Our volunteers help to bring back their confidence and bring back the fun.”
Ruth adds, “I’m not sure who has most fun, the children or the volunteers!”
Most Doorstep Library readers volunteer for two hours a week, and they often work with the same families for two years or more. If you can’t commit to volunteering every week, the charity is also looking for fortnightly volunteers and ad-hoc readers to provide holiday and sickness cover. Volunteers only work in term-time.
During the pandemic, Doorstep Library launched a new opportunity for online volunteers, who connect with families over Zoom. Online readers can be based anywhere in the UK.
Volunteering with Doorstep Library in a nutshell:
- Volunteer readers work in partnership, so you’re never on your own
- Most readers volunteer for two hours a week, usually 4.30–6.30pm
- You’ll visit the same families each week
- Ad-hoc and online opportunities are also available
- All books and other resources are provided by Doorstep Library
- You’ll receive full training
The difference you could make
93% of parents/carers said Doorstep Library has helped to improve their child’s reading skills. When you encourage a love of reading in a child, the benefits are far-reaching. Children who read for pleasure tend to perform better academically, particularly in subjects like English, maths and science.
As one of Doorstep Library’s volunteers, Sheila, says, “I believe that the ability to read is the key that opens the door to all other subjects. Reading fiction allows you to immerse yourself in a different place and use your imagination. Non-fiction greatly increases your knowledge of everything in the world, including yourself. The love of reading gives a lifetime of pleasure.”
Ruth adds, “Two of our volunteers were recently stopped by a young lady, who said, ‘You’re Doorstep Library; I remember you used to visit me. Before, I didn’t really enjoy reading or books but I’ve since gone on to university.’ When you hear stories like that, it really does bring to life what a difference our volunteers can make.”
Next steps:
Can you tell us about your background?
Why did you want to become a trustee for Hammersmith United Charities?
