Volunteer Coordinator for Adult Literacy Charity

What will you be doing?

When somebody approaches us wanting to learn to read, the Coordinator makes a simple assessment of their needs and abilities and explains how we may be able to help them. They then pair up each new Reader with a Coach who has been trained by Read Easy to deliver the Turning Pages phonics-based reading programme. After introducing the Reader to their Coach they provide ongoing support to these reading pairs, visiting their reading sessions occasionally and having regular phone contact to check all is going well. The Coordinator awards certificates to Readers as they reach significant milestones in the reading programme. The Coordinator identifies any barriers which are limiting each Reader's learning and works with our Literacy Specialist to help the Reader and Coach find ways to work through problems. The Coordinator attends Read Easy's management team meetings to report on the progress of reading pairs and share successes. Being a Coordinator is very flexible and the time required for the role will vary on a weekly basis and the number of reading pairs you are monitoring. The role is largely home based, provides lots of variety, and can work well around other commitments. Full training and support will be given to the successful candidate.

What are we looking for?

Personal qualities:

Commitment to helping others achieve their goals Ability to get people to work together Self-awareness and personal responsibility: knowing and managing your own strengths and weaknesses, and able to maintain a professional approach Ability to plan and organize, set realistic targets for work and manage time effectively Commitment to equality and diversity - valuing differences in gender, culture, opinions, values, ideas, skills and, experiences Commitment to maintaining confidentiality Being and active listener and clear communicator

Skills and experience:

Strong personal literacy with good written and spoken communication skills Some experience of teaching literacy Computer skills Administration Volunteer management and supervision of others  Working as part of a team

What difference will you make?

By helping people tackle their reading difficulties, your input will enable people to become more independent, improve their employment opportunities, support their children in reading and begin to explore many other opportunities. You will see at first hand how our Readers experience remarkable improvements in their confidence and self-esteem when they realize that they can at last begin to navigate their way through a world where the written word is everywhere. The quotes below illustrate the impact on, and reward for, both Coordinators and Readers. 'Today, when I introduced a new Reader to her newly-trained Coach, she revealed that she hadn't slept since last Thursday because she'd been so excited about being given another chance to learn. I've just returned home from this introduction having watched them both laughing at stories of their own ineptitude in various aspects of life. They are both so excited. This is the loveliest thing about being a Coordinator!' 'It's been a life-changing experience. Last week I read a book to my grandson. I never read to my children because I couldn't ,' Peter, from Read Easy Poole