Current volunteering opportunities:

There are lots of interesting ways to get involved in a Read Easy group. At the moment we are particularly looking to fill the following roles:

• Team Leader - As the Team Leader you are responsible for the proper and effective direction of your local group. This role will appeal to someone with enthusiasm and energy who will enjoy managing a team of diverse volunteers. The Team Leader needs: strong leadership and team management skills and experience, able to motivate and inspire trust and confidence in others; an ability to think and act strategically, set goals, plan work and delegate; and a non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included. Ideally, the Team Leader will remain in this role for at least two years, with an average commitment of four to five hours a week.  A full role description is available on request.
• Safeguarding Champion - You will ensure that your group implements, understands and works within the Read Easy UK Safeguarding Policy, as well as organising DBS checks when necessary. While this role requires less time than some of our other Management Team positions, it is no less valuable as you are responsible for both Reader’s and the Reading Coach’s safety. Average commitment 1 hour per week.
• Administrator/Secretary - If you’re an excellent timekeeper and an organised individual, then your administration skills will be vital to support the smooth running of the local Management Team. By recording actions agreed at meetings, and supporting the Team Leader, Management Team and Coordinator with administrative support, this role ensures that the group functions at its best and works in the most efficient and effective way to help adults learn to read in your community. Average commitment: 2 - 3 Hours per week.
• Venue Organiser - A great opportunity to get out and about in your community, liaising with local businesses and organisations to find and arrange suitable venues for our readers and reading coaches, team meetings and other events. Reading venues must always be places where there is at least one other person in the building to ensure the safety and integrity of the reading sessions. At the same time, the venues must provide an element of confidentiality, so that Readers aren’t intimidated by having to return to classroom-like settings. Typical venues include local libraries, churches, businesses, other organisations. Average commitment 2 hours per week.
• Coordinator - The Co-ordinator is central to the running of each Read Easy group, but is not formally a member of the Management Team. The Co-ordinator pairs up new Coaches with those who want to learn to read and provides ongoing support to those reading pairs. They visit reading sessions occasionally and maintain support through regular calls with both Reader and Coach to check all is going well, calling on the Literacy Specialist to respond to any literacy related difficulties the pair may be having. Being a Read Easy Co-ordinator is very flexible. You decide how much time you have to offer and this will determine the number of reading pairs you look after. The role provides lots of variety, and can work well around other commitments. In accordance with our thorough safeguarding policy, if you are successful at interview, an Enhanced DBS will be sought. A full role description is available on request. Average of 2-3 hours per week.
• Volunteer Recruiter - A really interesting opportunity to help manage the recruitment and interviewing of volunteers for your group. If you’re a ‘people person’ and enjoy meeting a wide range of people, the Volunteer Recruiter role will give you the opportunity to be the first point of contact for all volunteers and to have overall responsibility for managing the recruitment and interviewing of volunteers. You’ll need to be enthusiastic, a good listener and be able to spot a strong volunteer. By helping to recruit the right volunteers, you will play a vital role in ensuring the longevity of the group. Average commitment 2 hours per week.
• Fundraiser: Use your tenacity and creativity to raise funds to ensure the group's running expenses are covered, so that more people can learn to read! If you are motivated by sales or business development, or live for the "thrill of the deal" then becoming a Read Easy Fundraiser will appeal to you. You must enjoy networking and be comfortable discussing finances to be suitable for this role, not to mention passionate, enthusiastic and committed to the cause! Fundraising is an ongoing activity throughout the year. However, it is a role that can easily be supported by other members of the team, and this is common practice. There are two distinct forms of fundraising – those requiring writing bids for funds and those with a more social aspect – sponsored events; cake and coffee mornings; quiz nights; etc. The time commitment will be dependent on the nature of the fundraising your group does, and how many others become involved. As a Management Team member, you will also be required to attend monthly/regular Management Team meetings which may be a combination of Zoom and face to face.
• Reading Coaches

About our group: