Summer Reading Challenge 2014

Involving Young Volunteers

Training Presentation

Section 1: why involve young people as volunteers? The benefits, and the results to dateSection 2: resources and roles to support young volunteers helping with the Summer Reading Challenge in 2014Section 3: paperwork!Section 4: accreditation, recognition and evaluation

SECTION 1

Why involve young people as volunteers? The benefits, and the results to date

How has volunteering with the Summer Reading Challenge

developed?• Library services have involved young people as

volunteers helping with Summer Reading Challenge for many years, e.g. West Sussex, Essex ,Tameside, London Borough of Lewisham

• In 2010 The Reading Agency had funding from volunteer charity v and the John Laing Charitable Trust to develop the volunteering programme for the Summer Reading Challenge

How has volunteering with the Summer Reading Challenge

developed?• 2010 – 20 pilot authorities

trained/supported• 2011 – 50 authorities

trained/supported• 2012 – all authorities offered

training/support• From 2011 to 2013, funded by

John Laing Charitable Trust. In 2013 and 2014, funded by the Social Action Fund

Benefits of involving young volunteers – for libraries

• Support with administering the Summer Reading Challenge• A more youthful image• The enthusiasm and fresh perspective of young people• The skills young people can bring – such as digital/creative

skills• 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

Benefits of involving young volunteers – for young people

• Valuable work experience; especially good for those thinking of a career working with children

• Counts towards accreditation for CVs, UCAS applications etc., E.g. Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

• A reference for employment• The opportunity to develop confidence, social skills,

employment opportunities and literacy skills • The opportunity to make a positive contribution to their

communities – they want to help children succeed• A chance to make new friends• Encouragement to read more

Benefits of involving young volunteers – 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• New, creative activities linked to the Challenge• Encouragement to complete the Challenge

Library service offer to partner organisations

For local volunteer organisations, youth services, universities, colleges and schools:• Safe places – and in all areas• Supportive staff• Good practices• Work with children• In the holidays!• Opportunity for progression

In the words of a young volunteer…"I never used to be a confident reader but volunteering made me see how confident I could be. If you'd asked me 4 years ago if you thought I'd be at Downing Street now I'd have said 'no'. I've loved every single minute of volunteering and it's improved my confidence miles.” Tom Hotston, 15, Reading Activist, Warrington

Reading Activists at Downing Street, Jan 2013

Volunteers speak about their experiences

You can listen to more volunteers speaking about their experiences at: www.readingagency.org.uk/young-people/004-get-involved

Results 2013

• 5,684 young volunteers aged 12-24 years recruited in libraries in the UK

• 30% increase in the number of volunteers recruited compared with 2012

• 96% of volunteers said they learnt new things and gained skills and experience through volunteering for the Summer Reading Challenge

• 71% of volunteers said they would like to keep volunteering in a library after the Summer Reading Challenge has finished.

Results 2013 – libraries and reading

• 55% of volunteers felt that they were more interested in books and reading as a result of being involved with the Summer Reading Challenge.

• 63% 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

“

Results 2013• There was definitely some increase in

completion in those libraries that had volunteers. Rachel Levy, Sutton

• We had many positive comments about volunteers and how essential they are in supporting library staff with the extra work involved. Children, parents and staff commented that talking to the volunteers about their books was one of the most enjoyable aspects of the Challenge for children. Paul Howarth, Suffolk

• 81% of library authorities said the volunteers helped more children to complete the Challenge by reading six books, 24% felt this strongly.

• 97% of volunteers felt they helped children with their reading confidence (37% A Lot, 60% A Little).

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

Comments from volunteers

• “I have volunteered for over two years now in Redbridge Libraries and I have enjoyed all aspects of it. I have learnt valuable skills that have helped me in and outside of school and I feel that it is a good opportunity for young people to give back to the community.” Saagar, Redbridge

• 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

Results 2013

• 71% of volunteers said they would like to keep volunteering in a library after the Summer Reading Challenge has finished.

• 53% of library authorities have offered young people opportunities to continue volunteering in the library or the community after the summer, with offers made to at least 2,181 volunteers.

• In addition, 10 library authorities offered job opportunities to 15 volunteers.

• More details on results can be found in the report on The Reading Agency website: www.readingagency.org.uk

Further volunteering

• Help with family fun days; manga group; craft events; Bookstart; promoting self service machines.

• Helping to run Chatterbooks groups• Helping with book groups, helping with activities, helping with the home library

service, helping with an adult listening group.• Helping at homework clubs and with children's activities• Supporting staff with half-term and weekend events• Peer Mentoring project with Home Work club, Youth consultancy projects to buy

stock• Assisting with other library events• Running a teenage reading group, visits to libraries with questionnaires for the

public.• Helping with Family Learning Festival, rhymetimes, holiday activities, Reading

Activist opportunities

Volunteer Snapshot: Activist

James did 175 hours of volunteering in two libraries in Warrington during summer 2012. He was one of the Reading Activists invited to a celebration event at No. 11 Downing Street.

SECTION 2

Resources and roles to support young volunteers helping with the Summer Reading Challenge in 2014

• Resources• T-shirt, badge, booklet,

certificate• Activity sheets• Reading Activists’ web page• Reading/book list

Mythical Maze - 2014

Volunteer roles

• Summer Reading Challenge Activists• Helping children take part in the Challenge

• Reporters• Blogging and recording

• Leaders• Planning and supporting

Summer Reading Challenge Activist

• Signing children up to the Challenge

• Helping children to find and choose books

• Listening to them talking about their books

• Helping children to use the Summer Reading Challenge website – add titles to the Book Sorter

• Helping with events• Using activity sheets and other

ideas to help children share their reading choices with their peers

• Collecting data for evaluation

Reporters case study: Swansea

Swansea took on 35 young Reading Activist volunteers this summer, all aged 14 to 24. Several of these took on the role of Summer Reading Challenge reporters, which included coming up with the material for the blog:• Writing original spooky stories for

children • Tweeting spook-themed jokes• Posting puzzles and colouring

pictures • Creating video tutorials of the

activities that they had devised.• Creating celebratory photo-stories

LeadersLeaders have probably volunteered for the Challenge before and are looking to develop their skills and widen their experience. The role might include:• 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

Volunteer Snapshot: Leader

Alex, a volunteer from Wakefield, worked with Wakefield Library service to create a film of the Summer Reading Challenge in 2011. This year he is progressing to a leader and mentor role:

“I am in talks with Wakefield Library Service to progress into a mentor for volunteering in Wakefield and give training on video editing and creation. I hope that during this summer I would be able to visit all my districts libraries and possibly shoot some more footage in order to create a video for the 2013 reading challenge alongside the volunteers and staff of Wakefield Library Service.”

Working with volunteers in schools

Volunteers can also help in schools, encouraging children in primary schools during the school summer term to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. 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

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

Volunteer Policy

Having a 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

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

Support to increase numbers Support to deepen volunteer involvement

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

Recruitment

Where are you going to advertise? • In library• At schools• On website/social media• Vinspired website• Do-it website• Talk to young people you

are working with

Which partners are you going to work with to recruit volunteers?• Schools• Colleges• Universities• Local volunteering

organisations

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

Keeping everyone safe

Follow your local authority guidelines:• Health and Safety policy• Risk assessment• Training and induction• Child protection• DBS checking

Induction

• Do it quickly!• Make it fun • Train young people together• Prepare a volunteer agreement

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)

SECTION 4Accreditation, recognition and evaluation

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

Celebrating Achievement

• Certificate• Awards ceremony – ask

councillors/mayor/local dignitaries

• Young volunteers can present medals to children and vice versa!

Evaluation

We need to evaluate:• Numbers of young people volunteering • How many hours• Evidence of young people’s experience• Accreditation gained• Further volunteering/job opportunitiesFor the Summer Reading Challenge we also want to monitor:• Any increase in take up and completion rate by children• Any differences volunteers make for the children taking part

Evaluation methods

• For volunteers:• 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

Good luck!

For more advice and resources please visit:

www.readingagency.org.uk/readingactivists