1. Summer Reading Challenge 2015 Involving Young Volunteers

2. Training Presentation Section 1: why involve young people as volunteers? Section 2: resources and roles to support SRC young volunteers Section 3: paperwork! Section 4: accreditation, recognition and evaluation Section 5: After the summer – Reading Hack

4. SECTION 1 Why involve young people as volunteers? The benefits, and the results to date

5. Benefits for libraries Support with administering the Challenge A more youthful image – and fresh perspectives Skills young people bring – such as digital/creative Increased library usage by young people A link with local communities Help to deliver activities Staff confidence in working positively with young people A fresh look at working practices

6. Benefits for children More one-to-one attention from volunteers and staff A chance to talk in more detail about their reading experiences Reading role models to raise their aspirations Help with digital technology Help them to access themed creative activities Encouragement to complete the Challenge

7. Benefits to young people Valuable work experience; especially good for those thinking of a career working with children Counts towards accreditation (UCAS, DofE etc). A reference for employment and CV evidence Develops confidence, social skills and literacy skills Making a positive contribution to their community A chance to make new friends Encouragement to read more

8. In the words of a young volunteer…

9. Benefits to partner organisations Safe places – and in all areas Supportive staff Good practices Work with children In the holidays! Opportunity for progression

10. "I loved helping as a volunteer for the Summer Reading Challenge. Interaction with members of the public, other volunteers and library staff built up my confidence of speaking to others. I really hope that the other volunteers enjoyed this as much as I did and I am definitely going to be helping in next year's reading challenge." - Jade, Bournemouth.

11. Results 2014: overview 8,126 aged 12-24 years recruited in the UK 1,740 libraries in 138 English authorities 43% increase in volunteers recruited 123,578 volunteering hours given

12. 2014: libraries and reading 49% of volunteers felt that they were more interested in books and reading as a result of being involved with the Summer Reading Challenge. 56% of volunteers intend to use the library more now, after completing the volunteering “The experience was fantastic. I achieved my first award on vInspired and had some brilliant opportunities. I've been able to write articles, I’ve had the prospects of continuing a reading group at the library and my writing skills progressed - which means a great deal to me.” Jess, Harrogate “

13. 2014: Supporting younger children “There was definitely some increase in completion in those libraries that had volunteers”. Rachel Levy, Sutton “When you see volunteers talking to younger readers and they’re taking books off the shelf, I think there’s a sense of real communication going on. I think it can only help people to finish it” Branch Manager, Lancashire

14. Comments from libraries “Children and parents very much appreciated the volunteers and the time that they were able to spend with children, and male volunteers certainly encouraged boys taking part.” Carol Hales, Surrey Libraries “Families report that having volunteers for their children to discuss their reading with was really beneficial and adds value to the scheme” Russell Allen, West Sussex Libraries

15. 2014: skills and confidence 85% learnt new things and gained skills and experience through SRCv "Doing the challenge has really built my confidence as a person and has also given me plenty of new opportunities.“ Rob, young volunteer, North Yorkshire

16. I would like to say that volunteering for the summer reading challenge has helped me develop many skills and has greatly boosted my confidence. I hope I can continue to help the community further by volunteering in future library events.” Muhammad, Redbridge volunteer

17. 2014: Accreditation and employment 776 volunteers achieved an accredited outcome (460 for DofE) 10 library authorities offered job opportunities to 33 volunteers 783 skills badges and recommendation letters downloaded

18. 2014: Continuing to volunteer 71% of volunteers said they would like to keep volunteering in a library 53% of library authorities have offered 1,488 young people opportunities to continue volunteering after the summer

19. Further volunteering Supporting younger readers: family fun days; rhyme-times, Chatterbooks, homework clubs Supporting older readers: housebound visits, help with adult listening group, silver surfer sessions Developing teen activity: manga groups, film nights Helping libraries develop: promoting self service, meet-and-greet, stock selection, advisory panels, mystery shopping.

20. SECTION 2 Resources and roles to support young volunteers helping with the Summer Reading Challenge in 2015

23. Recruitment and advocacy: Postcard, Schools advocacy leaflet and letter Volunteer materials: T-shirt, badge, pen, booklet, certificate Recognition and reward: Activity sheets Reading Hackers web page & online skills Reading book list and competitions Record Breakers - 2015

24. Schools Advocacy Card

25. Poster design Recruitment Postcard

26. Volunteer Certificate

27. Volunteer roles 1. Reading Hacker volunteers Helping children take part in the Challenge 2. Reporters Blogging and recording 3. Leaders Planning and supporting 4. School ambassadors

28. Role 1: Reading Hacker volunteers Sign children up Help children to use the SRC website – add titles to the Book Sorter Use activity sheets to help children share reading choices with peers Help children find/ choose books Listen to them talk about books Help with events Collect data for evaluation

29. Role 2: Reporters The role might include: Taking photos and video footage (signed forms required for any children featured) Writing reviews of activities and events Promote the Challenge via blogging, photos and news items. Talking to the press Doing interviews for radio/TV

30. Role 3: Leaders Running training sessions for other volunteers Timetabling volunteer schedules Mentoring volunteers throughout the Challenge Planning volunteer team building events and activities Planning volunteer celebration events

31. Volunteer recruitment: case study

32. Role 4: schools ambassador The role might include: Going into other schools with presentations about the Challenge Creating displays in schools Running activities and events during the Summer term to encourage children to take part in the Challenge Volunteering in libraries over the summer

33. SECTION 3 Paperwork: volunteer policy, risk assessment, volunteer agreement, etc.

34. Volunteer Policy is a clear statement that you care about volunteers ensures everyone understands the rationale makes it easier to recruit and retain volunteers ensures good quality enables you to evidence good practice supports you in complying with legal requirements sets out expectations for all helps with evaluation

35. Resources and support Training and distance support Advocacy and recruitment resources Post card Advocacy cards Schools pack Volunteer handbook, case studies and best practice guides Promotional films Volunteer pack T-shirt, badge, volunteer booklet and log, Certificate Digital platform

36. What’s in a volunteer policy? written statement of service values and the role that volunteers play in delivering them health and safety requirements an explanation of expectations roles that volunteers play and the protection and benefits they are entitled to guidelines for recruitment and selection information about induction, training and supervision guidelines for recognition and reward a code of practice

37. Recruitment Where are you going to advertise? In library At schools Website/social media Vinspired website Vinspired Do-it website Do-it Talk to young people you are working with Which recruitment partners will you work with? Schools Colleges Universities Local volunteering organisations

38. Selecting young volunteers Do you need to use application forms? How will you interview young people? Will you need parental permission? What if applicants aren’t suitable? Importance of equal opportunities

39. Keeping everyone safe Follow your local authority guidelines: Health and Safety policy Risk assessment Training and induction Child protection DBS checking

40. Induction Do it quickly! Make it fun Train young people together Prepare a volunteer agreement

41. Support for young volunteers Think about: Group/ peer support for volunteers (mobile numbers?) Staff support for volunteers Service support for volunteers (including when local relationships break down)

42. SECTION 4 Accreditation, recognition and evaluation

43. Accreditation Awards Duke of Edinburgh’s Award ASDAN Activities Award Youth Achievement Award Arts Award Children’s University Local Awards Vinspired Welsh Bacc/International Bacc Saltire Award

44. Celebrating Achievement Certificate Awards ceremony – ask councillors / mayor/ local dignitaries Young volunteers can present medals to children and vice versa!

45. Evaluation For young people: Numbers of young people volunteering How many hours Evidence of young people’s skills/experience gained Accreditation gained Further volunteering/job opportunities For children: Impact on take up and completion rate by children Impact on the children taking part For libraries: Impact on libraries and LA policy influencing

46. Evaluation methods YP registration form and survey Ethnicity, gender and age Confidence/attitudes to libraries/expectations before volunteering Post-volunteering survey Confidence/attitudes to libraries/skills gained after volunteering For libraries: Evaluation form – by authority Comments/interviews with children

47. Reading Hack combines 3 things: Local activities Volunteering Youth advocacy

48. Features Flexible and local with UK infrastructure National brand developed with young people Youth-facing website and social media Rewards, recognition, accreditation Training and support for staff Case studies, best practice Tracking progress (skills, hours volunteered)

49. Get involved SRC volunteers can create hack activities over the summer Email us to register interest Adopt Reading Hack branding for groups and activities

50. In the words of a young volunteer… “It teaches you so much, not just about libraries and work but about you as well. I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of volunteering because it helped me develop as a person by making me more confident and sociable”. Katy, young volunteer North Yorkshire Libraries

51. Good luck! For more advice and resources please visit: http://readingagency.org.uk/Readin gHack http://readingagency.org.uk/Readin gHack