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Doorstep Library
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 who need our support.
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Description

At Doorstep Library, we’re dedicated to bringing the magic of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children who need our support. 

With 1 in 4 children in the UK leaving primary school unable to read or write properly, we recruit and train in-person and online volunteers to introduce children from under-resourced areas to the pleasure of reading.  

What’s Involved? 

As a Doorstep Library reading volunteer, you’ll visit the same families at their homes every week with a backpack full of books to share with the children and encourage their love of reading.  

You will: 

  • Handpick books based on the children’s age, interests, and reading level 
  • Visit their homes with your volunteer partner for 20-minute reading sessions   
  • Leave behind a selection of books for the children to borrow for the week 

Our unique home-based approach allows our volunteers to build trusting relationships with families, helping them to connect with the community and equip them with the skills they need to succeed later in life.  

When and Where? 

We have volunteer opportunities in: Euston (8 minute walk from campus), Kings Cross, Marylebone, Edgware Road, Hammersmith, Parsons Green, Fulham Broadway, Shepherds Bush, East Acton, Latimer Road, Queens Park, Pimlico, Brixton, Tulse Hill and World’s End (south of Kings Road).  

  • Time commitment: One evening a week (Regular Volunteer), one evening every other week (Semi-Regular Volunteer) or once every 3 weeks (Stand-In Volunteer) during school term times 
  • Hours per week: 2.5 
  • Days: Our projects run on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays depending on where you are based from 4:30pm – 7:00pm 

Doorstep Library is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and all those it comes into contact with. All volunteers undergo rigorous safer recruitment processes including specified interview questions, a DBS check, and the collection of written and/or verbal references.  Safeguarding training is a mandatory part of the induction process for all volunteers, and they are expected to always adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures.  

Reading Volunteer Specification (9)_0.pdf

Skills Developed by Doorstep Library Volunteers.pdf

Home Reading Project Details 

Duties
  • Visit families and children either at their home, on their doorstep.
  • Handpick books and read stories with families and children. 
  • Work with a volunteer partner every time you volunteer. 
Who will the volunteers be working with?
As a regular volunteer, you will volunteer with the same volunteer partner and visit the same families each week.

As a Stand-in volunteer, you will fill in for when regular volunteers are not here. You will end up volunteering with many different partners and visit many different families.
Training
You receive 3 hours of training as well as completing a series of online modules and a short quiz.

Time commitment

Time commitment: One evening a week (Regular Volunteer), one evening every other week (Semi-Regular Volunteer) or once every 3 weeks (Stand-In Volunteer) during school term times

Hours per week: 2.5

Days: Our projects run on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays depending on where you are based from 4:30pm – 7:00pm
Application deadline

Categories

UCL Departments

This organisation is one of our community partner organisations.

Like all volunteer recruiters we work with, they have signed up to our service standards, agreeing to abide by our policy on partnership working to keep you safe and supported whilst you volunteer.

You’ll never be out of pocket for volunteering through us – with in-London travel expenses to and from your volunteering guaranteed.

In addition, the team here at Students’ Union UCL Volunteering Service is here to support you throughout your volunteering journey – you can get in touch with us at any time.