Sharon Kirkpatrick Senior Manager Reading and Learning Volunteering Sharon Kirkpatrick Senior Manager Reading and Learning

Volunteering - Definition Compact on relations between the Government and the Third Sector in England The Compact Code of Good Practice on Volunteering, published in 2005, contains a short definition of volunteering within a longer context-setting description of volunteering. It states that volunteering is “…an activity that involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the environment or individuals or groups other than (or in addition to) close relatives”. "Volunteering is the giving of time and energy through a third party, which can bring measurable benefits to the volunteer, individual beneficiaries, groups and organisations, communities, environment and society at large. It is a choice undertaken of one's own free will, and is not motivated primarily for financial gain or for a wage or salary."

Volunteering – Big Society David Cameron has launched his “Big Society” drive to empower communities. Describing it as his “Great Passion” In a speech in Liverpool, the Prime Minister said groups should be able to run post offices, libraries, transport services and shape housing projects.

Volunteering - Opportunities Additional activities and events in support of library aims and objectives e.g. summer reading challenge ICT support work Reader’s groups Support to promote the library service such as leaflet distribution Support for people who are housebound including choosing, packing and delivering items Supporting the provision of a community library in smaller communities

Volunteering roles - Kent, Gloucestershire Helping Staff with: Story time and Rhyme Time Sessions Homework Help Computer Buddies Gardeners Music and Drama support at library activities Scrabble Clubs Facilitators for Chatterbooks Consultation volunteers Reading Group hosts

Teenage Volunteering

Examples of Teenage Volunteering Recruitment and Selection Young Inspectors ( mystery shopping) Summer Reading Challenge Head Space roles such as marketing, event planning Supporting the provision of a community library in smaller communities.

Volunteering – Volunteer Perspective Benefits of Volunteering: Acquiring new skills and gaining work experience Gaining Accreditation Expanding your social horizons Helping others to improve their quality of life Having fun while doing something constructive Keeping in touch with technology

Volunteering - Accreditation Duke of Edinburgh (service and skills) Young People’s Award Open College Network Arts Award ASDAN Activities Award Dorset Award

Volunteering - Management Volunteer Policy Job descriptions Induction Checklist to cover: Library Aims and Objectives Volunteer Information and Agreement Health and Safety Customer Care Practical Details Training for the volunteering role

Volunteering - Management WRVS Community Service Volunteers Dorset V Volunteer Centre Examples: Housebound Library Service managed by WRVS Time2Give ( managed by CSV- Community Service Volunteers) Online summer reading challenge volunteers managed by Dorset V and hosted by Do-it volunteering www.do-it.org.uk

Volunteering - Service Benefits Enhanced opening hours in community libraries Summer Reading Challenge teenage volunteers are appreciated by staff and the public Skilled volunteers such as Dorset Reading Partners can provide value added support to staff and the public Volunteering organised through Service Level Agreements e.g. with WRVS are less time intensive although there are cost implications Participation of Young people in the service by taking part in staff recruitment, mystery shopping and service development means that they can help shape the service to meet the needs of their peer group.

Volunteering - Weblinks http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/libraries/index.cfm?articleid=97825 http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/libraries/services_for_everyone/volunteering.aspx