Image of the front of the Felling Volunteer Library building.
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Date(s)

weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, starting from Monday, January 13, 2025 - 10:00am, forever
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Availability Details

We are open from 10am - 4pm Monday-Thursday. Volunteers usually agree to offer their time over mornings or afternoons.

Venue Address

Felling High Street Hub
58 High Street
Felling
Gateshead
NE10 9LT
United Kingdom

Areas covered
Policies in place

Adult and Children Safeguarding Policy in place

Yes

Equal Opportunities Policy

Yes

Health and Safety Policy

Yes

Volunteer Policy

Yes

DBS check required

No

Volunteers covered by Insurance

Yes
Support and Training

On Going Support

Yes

Training Provided

Yes

Volunteer Induction

Yes

Written role description

Yes

Expenses Reimbursed

No

Support and Training Details

We offer 6 weeks of training and ongoing mentoring.
Other information

Age restrictions apply

Yes

Driving Licence Required

No

Details

Applicants should be 18+.

Felling Volunteer Library provides a welcoming space for everyone to borrow or buy books, use the computer, take part in one of our popular groups, have a cuppa and a biscuit or just a friendly chat – and all for free!

We have been run entirely by volunteers for over 7 years and are based in the Family Hub which is at the bottom of Felling High St – just 5 mins walk from Felling Metro. We are open from 10am - 4pm Monday -Thursday. Volunteers usually agree to offer their time over mornings or afternoons.

 All of our volunteers are provided with training to take on all the tasks around the library, with regular support check ins to help you settle in. There will always be another volunteer with you when you are assisting the library.

There may also be opportunities to support one of our creative arts groups or to work with pre-school children in our weekly Rhymetime session.

The general tasks of a Library Assistant:

  • Welcoming members of the public
  • Answering a variety of queries face to face, via email and on the telephone
  • Joining new library members 
  • Preparing drinks and biscuits for our Warm Space
  • Receiving, counting, recording and checking money
  • Using the computer system to manage book borrowing and returns 
  • Using the photocopier
  • Book stocktaking
  • Helping with special events eg our Xmas and Spring fayre
  • Communicating with fellow volunteer team members and attending team meetings

Skills needed

We are looking for people who are:
• Friendly, welcoming and willing to chat to a wide range of people
• Reliable, flexible and a good timekeeper
• Detail focussed and practical
• Computer literate or willing to learn basic computer skills

Benefits for the Volunteer

Our volunteers say there are a lot of rewards from this work. They appreciate getting out of the house and having a renewed sense of purpose. They enjoy meeting new people, developing their confidence and learning new skills. Many also feel a sense of satisfaction in knowing they are supporting a vital service in their local community.

Here are some comments from our recent library user survey

“An essential community space – much needed and appreciated.

"A very nice atmosphere. A comfortable place to be. Always a nice welcome.”

Register your interest
Your details will be passed onto the organisation offering this volunteer opportunity so that they can contact you directly with more information. Anonymised information will be kept for monitoring purposes.