Volunteer Reader Scheme

TRO’s new Volunteer Reader Scheme aims to grow our Get Into Reading project so that more people can experience the pleasure of shared reading. We are particularly focused on reading with isolated older people and those living in care homes.

Funded by the Big Lottery, the Reader Volunteer Scheme will give opportunities to volunteers who are at risk of or suffering from mental ill health, isolation or unemployment. Over the five year lifetime of the project we must prove that through training, support and the act of volunteering, our volunteers have benefited personally from being involved.

The Scheme offers four roles for volunteers and so has the flexibility to respond to an individual’s personal circumstances and needs. Care Home Readers will partner with another volunteer and together deliver weekly shared reading groups to older people in care homes. Reading Group Assistants will assist project workers in the practicalities of delivering a weekly group. Volunteer Admin Assistants will help in the day to day running of GIR in both Liverpool and Birkenhead offices. In due course, Reading Friends will visit older people in their own homes to read aloud with them on a one to one basis.

To find out more, please contact Christine Johnson: christinejohnson@thereader.org.uk