Make a Difference this Summer

South Gloucestershire Library service is looking for volunteers to help children do the Summer Reading Challenge 2014.   The theme this year is Mythical Maze and children are challenged to read six books to collect their very own medal and certificate.

Over 7000 children in South Gloucestershire took part in Creepy House, the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge, and volunteers supported the children taking part by listening to them talk about their books and helping at the activities in the library. Tim, aged 18, from Filton explained why he got involved, ‘Volunteering for the summer reading challenge was a fantastic way to give something back to a community I have benefited so much from. It was the summer reading challenge that got me and my family ten years ago to regularly use the library, and its resources have since become an intrinsic part of my life. It was so nice being a part of the beginning of similar journeys for other young people and really engaging with them about what they have read. In volunteering for the summer reading challenge you see the passion for reading born. You gain valuable skills in communication through interacting with young people and their parents and I really felt my confidence grew as a result.

Being a Summer Reading Challenge volunteer is also a great opportunity for young people to get new skills and experience for their CVs as Tim describes, ‘As well as the enjoyment you get out of engaging with young readers, the summer reading challenge acted as a springboard for many other things. I found that it’s perfect volunteering material for the Duke of Edinburgh award and in my case was also a stepping stone into being included in the library “pool” of staff drafted in to cover absences. This for a student is the perfect part time job as it allows me to work when I am able to.

Encouraging young people to take part Martin Burton, Community Cultural Services Manager for South Gloucestershire said “Volunteering for the Summer Reading Challenge offers young people a unique and powerful volunteering opportunity to gain confidence, life skills and team work. There’s nothing more inspiring for a child than having a teenage volunteer from their own community spurring them on to read. ”

For more information on how to get involved ask a member of library staff or contact [email protected] or phone 01454 868451.   Suitable for aged 14+.   Closing date for applications 16 June 2014.

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