Your Guide to Volunteering at The Reader Organisation –
Calderstones Project
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at The Reader Organisation – we are an
organisation committed to making it possible for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities
to enjoy and engage with books on a deep and personal level.
You will find information in this leaflet about our basic requirements for volunteering. If after
reading this you would like to take the first step towards becoming a volunteer, please
arrange with us to come in for an informal interview.
If you decide after reading this that volunteering at TRO is not for you – then there are lots
of other ways you can be involved. You could join our mailing list, attend events, join a Get
Into Reading group, or subscribe to our magazine, The Reader. More details of all these
things are found on our website – www.thereader.org.uk.
Once again, thank you for your interest in volunteering at The Reader Organisation – and
we look forward to meeting you in the future.
About The Reader Organisation:
The Reader Organisation is an award-winning charitable social enterprise working to
connect people with great literature through shared reading. We’re here to bring books to
life, creating welcoming environments in which personal feeling is recognised and valued,
forming vital connections between people and literature through which everyone can feel
more alive.
About the Calderstones Project:
Calderstones Mansion House is The Reader Organisation's international flagship project,
and we plan to transform it into a world-renowned centre for reading. Calderstones is a
unique opportunity for us to do more, to establish a quality experience of reading for
pleasure and wellbeing in a beautiful, peaceful and welcoming place.
The Reader Organisation is going to transform Calderstones Mansion House into an
international flagship project for shared reading for everyone: we want people from the
local area, the wider city of Liverpool, the rest of the UK and beyond to read, learn, play,
make new friends and find new opportunities here.
In September 2014, we signed a lease with Liverpool City Council for Calderstones
Mansion House giving us residency of the building for 125 years. We have been working
within the Mansion House for 18 months since securing preferred bidder status from
Liverpool City Council in January 2013. Since then, we've been welcoming thousands of
visitors of all ages to enjoy shared reading groups, heritage tours and many more special
events for the community.
Other significant steps in the regeneration of the Mansion House have included opening a
thriving social enterprise cafe, reopening the Gallery space to host passionate local artists
and utilising the beautiful 'secret garden' of the Mansion House for theatre productions by
Shakespeare's Globe and other companies. We have also hosted our first Children's
Literature Festival.
The Mansion House will continue to be open whilst it undergoes future changes, not only
with its shared reading groups and activities but also rentable offices, catered events spaces
and regular seasonal events.
Our beliefs and values:
Our beliefs and values shape our culture and guide us in our work both internally and
externally. These are principles that we hope will help everyone who works for us,
everyone who works with us and everyone with whom we read understand who we are,
what we stand for and how we do things.
It’s really important that we recruit people who feel they can work in accordance with these
values:
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Great literature is at our heart
We read to lead
We are kind but bold
We respect individuality but work as a team
We value innovation and find ways to live with change
We have strong boundaries and are well supported
We celebrate success but learn from our mistakes
We work whole-heartedly and value our wellbeing
What is the recruitment process for volunteers?
Come and meet us:
If you express interest in volunteering, you will be invited to meet with the Calderstones
Volunteer Manager. This is an opportunity for you to express why you are particularly
interested in volunteering for The Reader Organisation. It’s an opportunity for us to get to
know you a bit better, to find out what your interests and skills are, and to see if we have an
appropriate role for you within the Calderstones Project.
At this meeting we will talk about your availability, your interest in our project, and what
you would hope to get out of volunteering. The Volunteer Manager will also explain how
the volunteer programme works, how we look after volunteers, and answer any questions
you may have.
At this meeting it would be useful if you could provide us with:
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Your contact details
Details of your next of kin
The name and contact address (either postal or email) of a referee
Your availability
If at the end of this meeting you feel that volunteering with the Calderstones Project is not
for you, or if you wish to go away and think about it before committing, that is not a
problem. It may be that at the end of this meeting it is mutually decided that there is not an
appropriate volunteering role for you (e.g. we don’t have a role that fits with your current
availability).
Induction as a volunteer:
If you are offered a role as a volunteer we will induct you fully into the organisation, and
take up references (and a DBS check if required for the role). If you have a criminal record,
this does not disqualify you from volunteering with us, but we will chat through with you
the most appropriate way for you to get involved.
Training:
You will receive the necessary training for your role, including regular training meetings with
other volunteers. You will receive ongoing support and recognition for the whole time you
volunteer with us.
Ongoing Support:
The Volunteer Manager will discuss with you if there are particular ways we can offer you
support as you begin your role. In addition to a named member of staff at Calderstones who
will be responsible for ensuring you have everything you need when you’re volunteering at
the Mansion House, you will be invited to regular Volunteer Meetings (every 6 weeks),
offered an opportunity to chat with the Calderstones Volunteer Manager either by phone
or face-to-face at 3 monthly intervals and a more formal review of your role every 6
months. In addition, the Volunteer Manager has an ‘open door’ policy which means, whether
by phone, email or dropping in.
What we need from volunteers:
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To take part in the volunteer programme as a means of personal development
To be fully committed to the ethos of The Reader Organisation, and to have a
passion for helping people experience shared reading for themselves
To complete all induction and training necessary for their volunteer role
To undergo a DBS check if a role requires it (cost of DBS check covered by TRO)
A commitment to work within all volunteer policies and procedures at all times
To be reliable, punctual, and enthusiastic when volunteering
To give and receive feedback and ask questions when you need help
To be able to work in a confidential manner, according to the volunteer policy
To be aged 16 or over
To offer a regular commitment if possible
To offer an active commitment for at least 6 months if possible
What you will get from us:
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The satisfaction of volunteering in a vibrant and enthusiastic organisation, and making
a difference to people’s lives
Being part of a team
The opportunity to develop new skills, and use existing ones
Full training for your volunteer role
Regular feedback, support and supervision
Travel expenses to and from your volunteering activities
Appropriate insurance cover for all you do with TRO
Access to all volunteer policies and procedures
Opportunity to take part in the ‘100 hours’ volunteer recognition programme
(Wirral)
A reference if you have been an active volunteer for 3 months or more
Opportunities to develop a love of books, stories and poetry
Support for future career prospects
The Next Step:
If you would like to apply to be a volunteer, please get in touch with Gillian Moore,
Calderstones Volunteer Manager (gillianmoore@thereader.org.uk)