Information about volunteering for the Summer Reading Challenge 2024: Marvellous Makers

• This opportunity is open to young people aged 12 to 18.
• If you want to volunteer you need to complete and hand in a signed application form by Saturday 6 July 2024. You can also pick up a printed form at any Tameside library 
• ***We may not accept late applications***
• If you are 16, 17 or 18 you will need to provide details of someone we can contact for a reference, and you will not be able to volunteer if we do not receive a satisfactory response from them. If you will still be 15 or under by 23 August, you do not need a reference.
• View further information and person specification

Role Title
Summer Reading Challenge Volunteer

Location
Tameside Libraries

When
July and August 2024

Commitment
3 x two hours in the summer holidays, plus some time in July for induction training.

To complete the programme you will need to:

• Come to one of the briefing and induction meetings at Ashton LibraryTuesday 16 July, 4.30 – 5.15 pm or 5.30 – 6.15 pm
• Help out at the Marvellous Makers sign-up sessions or activities at a Tameside library in the summer holidays (list of days and times below) for a minimum of three sessions. Arrangements can be made to accommodate holidays.

Library sign up sessions and activity times

What do the sign-up sessions and activities involve? 

• Marvellous Makers is the national Summer Reading Challenge aimed at children aged 4-11 years. Children need to read 6 books during the summer and get stickers and incentives along the way with a medal at the end.
• Sign-up sessions are times when you will help children to sign up and complete the Summer Reading Challenge in the library, giving out rewards and talking the Challenge and about books they have read with families.
• Activities are simple crafts, treasure hunts and games which are planned in advance and attended by children of all ages up to about 11 and their parents and carers.
• We ask you to come half an hour before the start to find out what we’re doing and help set up, and to stay half an hour at the end to help clear away.
• The library can be busy during the Summer Reading Challenge but there will always be members of library staff to support you.
• The times and locations of each session are listed on the application form and you can indicate which you’d prefer to attend, then we’ll let you know which sessions we want you for.

Abilities you will need to demonstrate and experience you will gain: 

• You will need to be able to explain things to children and to adults in a clear, friendly and enthusiastic way. You do not have to be very loud and outgoing, as long as you can help and talk confidently to different kinds of people. There will, of course, be library staff there to help and support you.
• The help of our volunteers is a very important part of our activities. This means we need you to be reliable and to turn up when and where you say you are going to.
• You will be able to develop your planning, communication and teamwork skills and your confidence! It’s also a great way to get involved in your local community, do something useful with your time in the holidays and make new friends.

If you have any questions or need more information contact:
Information.direct@tameside.gov.uk

Summer Reading Challenge volunteering FAQs

Can I volunteer at more than one library?
Yes! You can do as many sessions as you want to, across as many libraries as you wish. Please give as much detail as you can on your application form

I’m away on holiday for two weeks in the summer – can I still volunteer?
Yes, but ideally you need to be able to do three sessions in total.

I haven’t volunteered before and can’t come to the training – can I still volunteer?
Really you should make every effort to attend the induction meeting and the library visit. You’ll be at a disadvantage if you don’t and might not be as confident about what’s going on. If you cannot attend, then still apply and we will try to make alternative arrangements for you.

 Can I email you the application form or complete it online?
We need it to be signed, so you could scan the completed, printed form and email that image as an attachment to information.direct@tameside.gov.uk. Unfortunately it is not possible to complete the form online. If you do not have access to a printer, you can pick up a form at any Tameside library.