Latest volunteering roles

We are looking for volunteers to help provide refreshments and engage with visitors at the Voices café. This role is for a minimum of 6 months, working in partnership with the café volunteers, library manager and other staff.

Location(s)
Biblioteca comunitară Gainsborough

 

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We are looking for volunteers to help out at our Compassionate Café.

The Compassionate Café at Lowestoft Library takes place every other Friday morning during term time, and provides a safe place to talk about difficult subjects – grief, bereavement, illness, wills, choices, care, family – over a cup of tea.

We’re looking for volunteers who are good listeners and who can support people who are suffering from bereavement or need to discuss anything that involves end of life care and other difficult decisions.

If you would like more information, please contact Lowestoft Library by emailing lowestoft.library@suffolk.gov.uk or phoning 01502 442810.

Location(s)
Biblioteca Lowestoft

 

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We are looking for volunteers to facilitate regular support groups in libraries which help people living with dementia and their careers.

It would be beneficial (but not essential) if you have an existing understanding of dementia and how it can affect those living with it.

Location(s)
Biblioteca Județeană Ipswich

 

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Friends’ group trustees are passionate about supporting their local library. They contribute ideas for fundraising and promotional events, activities and initiatives, and play an active role in making those ideas come to reality, hopefully having a lot of fun in the process!

They will work with their fellow trustees and the library manager to identify how best to spend the money they raise to improve and enhance the library and the services it provides.

Location(s)
Broomhill Library, Capel St Mary Library, Great Cornard Library, Haverhill Library, Kesgrave Library, Leiston Library, Moreton Hall Library, Newmarket Library, Oulton Broad Library, Saxmundham Library, Sudbury Library, Woodbridge Library.

 

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We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help maintain and enhance our library garden spaces, which are vital to the wellbeing of library users.

What’s involved:

Working under the direction of the Library Manager and library staff, volunteers will help with:

• Weeding
• Pruning of borders
• Looking after plants and flowers, beds and borders
• Hanging baskets, tubs and watering during dry spells
• Keep pathways and seating areas clean and clear of debris.

In some spaces this may also include growing vegetables, sowing seeds or creating wildlife habitats or even helping others to learn new skills.

This role involves moderate physical effort and interacting with a variety of people of different ages and from different walks of life.

Location(s)
Bungay Community Library, Great Cornard Library, Lowestoft Library.

 

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We are looking for volunteers to support the library manager and staff with the day-to-day running of our community library spaces.

What’s invovled:

Working under the direction of the Library Manager or key staff, volunteers will:

• Putting books on library shelves in order
• Finding books that are needed by customers using the library service
• Tidying books, leaflets and displays
• Removing old /damaged stock from shelves
• Talking to people about the books they’ve been reading
• Helping visitors to the library to enjoy their visit
• Keeping accurate records
• Helping with other library duties when time allows
• Helping customers by referring enquiries to library staff
• Helping to create exciting and engaging library displays.

Preferred qualities & skills:

We are looking for volunteers who are:

• Reliable, attending all booked sessions, notifying staff in good time if unable to attend
• A good team worker, able to work with library staff and other volunteers
• Enthusiastic about encouraging use of the library
• Friendly
• Well organised
• Committed to helping libraries and our customers

Please note: This role involves regular lifting, carrying, and bending. Manual handling training will be provided.

Location(s)
Wickham Market Library.

 

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We are looking for volunteers who are confident in using digital technology (including devices and software) to facilitate IT support sessions in libraries.

What’s involved:

Working under the direction of the Library Manager and library staff, volunteers will:

• Helping to set up email and social media accounts such as Facebook or Instagram.
• Help with online shopping eg. Amazon, eBay and groceries.
• Help with the basic functionality of both mobile phones and/or PCs
• Help with travel plans using Google app and alternatives
• Help with basic Office functions such as word processing and spreadsheets

As you will be working with sensitive information and potentially vulnerable adults, this role will require a DBS check and both safeguarding and GDPR training which will be provided.

Location(s)
Haverhill Library, Kesgrave Library, Lakenheath Library, Lavenham Library, Leiston Library, Newmarket Library, Sudbury Library.

 

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We are looking for volunteers to help deliver ideas for activities and work with the library manager to support in running the home educators group.

Please note: Volunteers will need to be able bodied enough to use the stairs and lift and carry items.

What’s involved:

• Delivering ideas for activities
• Working in partnership with other volunteer leader, library staff and other building users
• Helping to deliver the event or activity when it takes place, including setting up and clearing away
• Undertaking any appropriate online training
• Agreeing to our volunteer terms and conditions together with our Health and Safety guidelines.

Preferred qualities & skills:

• Enthusiastic about their local library and the role that it has in the local community
• Keen to expand what the library offers in order to encourage more people to use it
• Reliable
• A good team worker who is able to work on their own initiative and effectively with library staff and other volunteers.
• Able to communicate to a high level with adults and children of all ages

Location(s)
Framlingham Library.

 

Apply online

We are looking for people to help discuss and deliver books to customers who are unable to visit their local library due to health or mobility issues.

What’s involved:

• Finding out about customers reading preferences, interests and restrictions
• Being aware of all reading media, including talking books and relevant
  organisations, such as RNIB
• Collecting books from the library and taking them into peoples’ homes
• Encouraging people to read and helping them to choose new books
• Talking to people about the books they’ve been reading
• Keeping accurate records
• Helping customers by referring enquiries to library staff
• Representing and promoting the library service.

Preferred qualities and skills:

• Reliable, attending all arranged visits, notifying staff in good time if unable to
  attend
• A good team worker, able to work with library staff and other volunteers
• Enthusiastic about encouraging people to read
• Friendly
• Well organised
• Committed to helping libraries and our customers
• Have access to a car (travel expenses are paid).

Location(s)
Capel St Mary Library, Framlingham Library, Ipswich County Library, Lowestoft Library, Sudbury Library.

 

Apply online

We are looking for volunteers to help out with our Time Out group for over 55s.

Time Out takes place every Tuesday afternoon at Lowestoft Library and offers a welcoming space for older adults to chat, make friends, and enjoy games together.

We are looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas for our activity programme and can organise guest speaker visits.

If you would like more information, please contact Lowestoft Library by emailing lowestoft.library@suffolk.gov.uk or phoning 01502 442810.

Location(s)
Biblioteca Lowestoft

 

Apply online