Register To Become a One-to-One Reading Volunteer
We’re so excited to have you join our volunteer community.
Your support means so much to the children who you will help to read.
Before you join us
You’re about to do something that has real impact. Here’s what you need to know before beginning your application:
1. Read the volunteer role description to find out what’s involved.
2. Ensure you’re able to commit to two 30-minute sessions per week for six consecutive weeks, along with a commitment to participate in at least three programmes a year.
3. If you wish to volunteer online, confirm you have access to: a PC, laptop, MacBook, iPad, tablet, phone or Chromebook with a webcam and internet connection and that you feel relatively comfortable using technology.
What’s involved in the application process?
As part of the application process we’ll ask for your name and contact details.
We’ll also ask what type of volunteer you are i.e. Bookmark volunteer, Corporate volunteer or reading Mentor (16 – 17-year-old volunteers). Please choose the appropriate selection.
As part of our safer recruitment and safeguarding policies we’ll ask you to:
- provide an education and five-year education, employment and volunteering history
- give details for two references to complete your application
If employment history is not relevant for you or you have long finished employment, we are happy to accommodate this as needed. Should you think you might struggle to find references, please read our guidance or email applications@bookmarkreading.org.
Once your application has been reviewed, you will need to apply for a DBS check. We pay the cost for these checks and can support you through this process if helpful. If you have lived overseas, we may ask you to complete an overseas check.
You’ll complete a short online interview with a member of the Bookmark team as well as online training.
We take pride in ensuring all Bookmark volunteers are vetted and suitable to work with the children we support.
Don’t worry if you haven’t gone through an application process like this before” our team will support you every step of the way and you can complete these steps in times convenient to you.
You can find more information about our recruitment processes on our help centre.
What else do I need to know?
You don’t have to fill the application form out in one go – you’re welcome to come back to complete it at any time. And, if you get stuck, simply email us at applications@bookmarkreading.org and we’ll be happy to help.
To complete the application form, please use Google Chrome as your browser and ensure that you aren’t logged in to Citrix.
Any questions?
-
You'll select the programme timing which works best for you and book it through our Volunteer Hub. You'll then log onto each session through your PC, laptop, MacBook, Chromebook, iPad, tablet or phone, which requires both a webcam and an internet connection.
Teachers will set the child you'll be reading with up with the same so that you can use our secure online platform, with plenty of games and reading resources to deliver a reading session online.
-
Yes! As well as online sessions, we offer face-to-face opportunities to read with a child at a primary school that is local to you, depending on availability. We're looking for people who could support a minimum of two children a week, across 12 weeks, for in-person programmes.
You can find a full list of areas with school availability, which is updated across the year, by searching for 'f2f schools list'.
-
The main way volunteers can connect with each other is through the messaging platform, 360L. We have a really supportive community of volunteers. You can find more information about 360L and links to join our groups here.
Our Volunteers Team also run regular drop-in sessions for volunteers, which you can find and book into on the ‘Events’ section of the Bookmark Library.
-
There are lots of ways you can make a difference and volunteer with Bookmark. Through online and face-to-face volunteering you can read with a child as a Reading Volunteer, Corporate Volunteer or Student Volunteer.
-
Our digital platform pairs schools with fully safeguarded, vetted and trained reading volunteers in the local community, at the tap of a button.