Volunteers needed in W6 and W12
The Doorstep Library Network runs Doorstep Library Projects (DLP) on estates in Hammersmith & Fulham. Each DLP recruits volunteers to pay weekly visits to low-income families to read stories to their children and bring a choice of children books to borrow. They will seek to involve the parents in the reading sessions to enable them to experience how they can contribute themselves to their children’s education.DLPs seek to develop partnerships with local community service providers to provide opportunities for the most disadvantaged beneficiaries to join in and take active roles in small community events designed for them. Volunteers work in pairs, with each pair picking books to read with and lend to families. We visit families in their homes/ on their doorsteps, read a story with the children and lend them books for the week. Through the reading of stories to the children we also act to befriend parents/ carers, offering a listening ear and signposting suitable local services where appropriate.Many of the families we visit do not have books or speak little English. By reading stories to the children (aged 6 months to 12 years) volunteers will become a regular joy in their lives. Through reading with the children regularly volunteers with offer the children continuity and one-to-one attention.Volunteers will develop skills which will be useful for careers in education or social work and child care. All Volunteers receive initial and on-going training including:• Introduction to poverty and social exclusion, and the overall aims of the Doorstep Library Network• Aims and methods of the project • Door-knocking and home visiting • Personal safety• Child protection policy• Confidentiality and information sharing policies• Local service provision and how to signpost these to families• Reading methods, especially for children with learning/ behavioural difficultiesAll volunteers receive support and supervision throughout the placement.Please contact Katie Bareham on 020 8870 1476 or doorsteplibrarynetwork@gmail.com www.doorsteplibrary.org.uk
Katie Bareham ● 5560d0 Comments