Help us find readers!
We recruit, train and support volunteers to give one-to-one tuition to adults who struggle to read. The referrals networker has an essential role in finding and recruiting these people (our 'readers').
What the volunteer will do
1) To ensure that there are sufficient readers being referred to the group by creating links with local organisations such as Job Centres, social services and many others who may be able to refer potential readers to the group.
2) To be a management team member / trustee.
Responsibilities
1) Liaise with the rest of the management team to establish which organisations have already been contacted and build on that initial work.
2) Create a record of organisations and agencies who are likely to come into contact with those who don’t read and the dates you are in touch with them. We have a comprehensive list already, but it will need updating and revisiting.
3) Contact these organisations regularly to provide information about what your group offers and identify how they can best inform their personnel to make referrals.
4) Keep your local group informed about your activity and identify how many of your contacts refer new Readers. Find out what further efforts may be necessary.
5) Be the initial contact for referrals, liaise with the referrers, keep a record of these and link with the coordinators who would do the initial assessment of the reader.
Who will work with the volunteer
The referral networker will work closely with the publicity organiser and 8 coordinators as they will be relaying referrals of people coming for help with their reading (our ‘readers’). The coordinators meet regularly with the coordinator supporter, and it is helpful if the applicant can attend some of these meetings.
Is this role description set in stone, or is there some flexibility about how the volunteer could help? There may be some flexibility if the management team accept it.
Personal qualities and experience
Experience of networking or the confidence to contact local organisations. Local knowledge is helpful.
Confidence to promote the work of Read Easy and how it can support local people who would like to improve their reading skills.
Good communication and people skills.
Ability to develop strong working relationships with local referral agencies and manage expectations.
Commitment to the aims of Read Easy
Reading is a basic requirement of everyday life, and for many of us it is a skill we take for granted. Yet there are 2.4 million adults in England alone who can barely read or cannot read at all (Skills for Life Survey, 2011, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills – latest government figures). In turn, people who struggle with reading may also struggle with writing and have quite limited spoken vocabulary.
Learning to read as an adult can be life changing. The benefits can extend beyond the individual and enable families to break the inter-generational cycle of literacy difficulties. See https://readeasy.org.uk/success-stories/sarahs-story/
Read Easy UK is the only national organisation in the country which provides a volunteer-led reading coaching programme for adults.
The support we provide is free, confidential, and crucially, one to one. Many Readers have had a poor experience in a school classroom or group setting, so our personal approach allows Readers to develop a supportive and trusting bond with their dedicated Coach.
The impact our local groups make is down to securing a steady stream of Reader referrals, so you will play an essential role in making sure we reach these people.
Please apply through Reach in the first instance. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete our additional application form
