The Summer Reading Challenge: Volunteer Role Description

What is the role about?

Mischief Makers is this year’s national Summer Reading Challenge that runs during the summer holiday. Children of all ages are encouraged to read six books. All children taking part receive a certificate and a medal when they complete the challenge. There is an additional scheme for children 10 and over. You will be working with children and their parents or carers, encouraging them to join the challenge and talking to them about the books they have been reading.

What will it involve?

• Joining children to the Summer Reading Challenge
• Talking with children about the books they’ve been reading and encouraging them to share their views and ideas
• Handing out reading rewards including stickers and medals
• Helping children to have fun and enjoy the Summer Reading Challenge
• Encouraging children to read for pleasure
• Assisting with administration, eg registration membership, filing
• Assisting with other library duties when time allows
• Helping customers by referring enquiries to library staff
• Completing a post-volunteering survey.

What will you get from volunteering?

• Valuable work experience and new skills, good for the CV
• Confidence in talking to children and adults
• Pleasure of encouraging children to enjoy reading
• The opportunity to make a positive contribution to the community.

What skills and experience do you need?

• A good team worker, able to work with library staff and other volunteers
• Reliable, well organised and calm under pressure
• Enthusiastic about encouraging children to read
• Able to communicate with customers of all ages including parents
• Able to talk to children about the books they’ve been reading
• Friendly and approachable
• Committed to helping libraries and our customers.

How much time would you be asked to contribute?

To be agreed, but a minimum of 18 hours (approximately 6 sessions of 3 hours each) from Saturday 14 July to Saturday 1 September. You’re welcome to complete more hours, and it may also be possible to volunteer for the Summer Reading Challenge at other libraries, by arrangement with the Library Supervisor.

What training and support will you receive?

Your placement library will invite you to a training session in July where you’ll be given a tour of the library and the opportunity to meet library staff and other volunteers. We’ll send you a number of email updates during the summer with information about your role, details about the Summer Reading Challenge and links to training and resources. You’ll have a named Supervisor and there will be ongoing support from local library staff.

How do you apply? - Volunteers must be aged 14 and over

Apply online at libraries.essex.gov.uk/ Closing date: Sunday 10 June 2018

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and for libraries on a shared site (South Woodham Ferrers, North Melbourne and Stock) a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required if 16 or over.

Endeavour House has chosen to support My Blue Heart. The organisation exists to encourage understanding and compassion towards everyone who has to live on without someone they love.

They aim to give bereaved people a way to show others they are grieving through wearing a heart shaped badge, in forget-me-not blue, with a red heart in its heart. The badge conveys the message ‘I carry your heart in mine' and always will.

Dear Parents/Guardians   

Key Stage 4 Options Subjects 2018 - 2020

The selection of optional subjects is one of the crucial moments in any student’s secondary education.  All students have already started to complete work of GCSE standard in all their subjects, but will opt to specialise and follow a two year GCSE programme, starting in Year 10.  The experience of studying some of the GCSE content in Year 9 will allow staff to give specific guidance to ensure students have the aptitude for particular subjects and allow students to make a more informed choice.

Mid Essex Young Commissioners are offernng Free First Aid for Young People.

Saturday 24 February 2018.

Spaces are limited

Please contact 
Sam Swindale - Youth and Community Commissioner
Tel No: 07809105099
Email: sam.swindale@essex.gov.uk

Launch Event 

Wednesday 7 February 2018

10 a.m - 2 p.m.

Essex County Cricket Ground, New Writtle Street, Chelmsford, Essex. CM2 OPG.

Places must be booked email hello.essexfamilyforum@gmail.com or call 07742 958003/07707 110592

Long-established teacher training provider, Mid-Essex Initial Teacher Training, has been recognised as 'outstanding' in all categories by Ofsted. 

Mid-Essex Initial Teacher Training (ITT) has been providing highly skilled teachers for local secondary schools for 20 years.

The Ramsey Academy, Halstead is one of 20 schools in the Mid-Essex ITT partnership which spans the county including Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Rochford and Thundersley.