Article date – 13 June 2018
Are you aged 13 to 19, love books and have spare time to inspire younger children?
Then St Helens Council’s Library Service wants to hear from you.
Every year, Reading Hack volunteers help libraries make the Summer Reading Challenge a success across the country. Reading Hack is a programme led by young people who do reading activities and volunteering called hacks to gain skills and experience.
The Summer Reading Challenge 2018, Mischief Makers, will engage thousands of children in St Helens to read over the long school holidays. Children are challenged to read six books and are rewarded with a certificate and medal if they complete.
What will you do? You will help library staff to run the challenge – for the whole holidays or a few weeks, it’s up to you. You can talk to children about the books they’ve been reading and help library staff run summer activities.
What’s in it for you? The opportunity to gain valuable work experience and make a positive contribution to the community, plus this is an opportunity to be part of a national programme that inspires others to read. What’s not to like!
Encouraging young people to get involved, St Helens Council’s portfolio holder for libraries, Councillor Anthony Burns, said: “The annual Summer Reading Challenge is such a massive occasion on the library service’s calendar which has seen thousands of children take part in over the years.
“But none of this would have been possible without the help and support of volunteers.
“Volunteering is such a rewarding experience for young people to get involved in, as it can enhance opportunities further down the line such as university and employment prospects – so it would be great to see a good number of young people get involved and make this year’s Summer Reading Challenge one to remember.”
Places are limited so for more details on becoming a volunteer and to register your interest, please contact your local library or you can email catotempelman@sthelens.gov.uk
