Volunteer Reading Coach

Volunteer Reading Coach

Posted for Read Easy, Harlow and Chelmsford

Posted by Volunteer Essex

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Volunteer Essex website to express your interest.

• Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups.

Read Easy groups are changing the lives of individual adults across the country by providing them with the support they need to learn to read, and in turn opening doors for them to all sorts of new opportunities in life.

What you will be doing:

• Developing the literacy skills of an adult Reader who has difficulty with reading
• Meeting with your Reader for two separate half hour sessions each week face to face in an approved venue or remotely on a video call or a combination of both
• Providing non-judgemental literacy support to your Reader
• Utilising your empathy and understanding to support your Reader
• Delivering the phonics based Turning Pages programme with guidance for coaches on every page and using other approved resources
• Keeping records of your meetings
• Liaising with your allocated Coordinator and Literacy Specialist
• Attending Coach meetings approximately every two months
• Working within Read Easy policies and procedures

What’s in it for you?:

• You will be provided with outstanding Initial Coach training in two sessions before you commence coaching, each lasting three hours
• A supported induction period at the commencement of coaching
• Consolidation training once you have been coaching for a couple of weeks, again in two sessions each lasting 3 hours
• Working with other enthusiastic volunteers to change the lives of the individuals you support
• Regular support from the group Coordinator
• Literacy support from the group Literacy Specialist
• Repayment of agreed expenses for travel and parking

What skills do I need?

Confident reading skills

Clear communicator

Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding whilst maintaining boundaries

Ability to talk and listen to the person you coach in a patient, positive, encouraging and purposeful way

A non-judgemental attitude and a positive respect for others, regardless of abilities, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or age

Ability to focus on your Reader and their needs

Ability to work alone, seeking support when necessary 

Reliability, consistency and an ability to handle disappointment

A commitment to maintain confidentiality and volunteer within Read Easy’s guidelines and policies

Willingness to commit to the required training

Ability to utilise Zoom meeting platform to attend remote coach training

Ability and confidence to use a computer to access documents online, or the willingness to learn to do so