Volunteer Hub
Library Volunteer
Organisation Details
Z-arts
Organisation Description: Children and Family Arts Centre
Description of role: Z-arts Children’s Library helpers needed!
Z-arts are on the lookout for a team of volunteers to help in our Children’s Library.
Our library is a community library and part of Manchester Libraries network.
The Role
As one of our helpers you will…
• assist Z-arts staff with our programme of activities for babies and children
within the library.
• welcoming children and parents as they arrive into the library and for events.
• helping prepare for regular baby and toddler activities in advance of sessions,
including preparing activities and setting out equipment.
• joining in with activities as appropriate and assisting children to further develop
their own skills.
• support a range of children’s activities which could include craft sessions,
colouring, LEGO construction, storytelling and quizzes.
• help keep the library looking inspiring and create imaginative displays.
• help children and families find books they’ll love.
• encouraging library visitors to become members.
This volunteer role is suitable for you if:
• if you’re enthusiastic about encouraging children’s literacy, learning
and development.
• if you’re passionate about books, reading, stories, imagination and creativity.
• if you want to help children and their families participate in library activities.
• if you’re looking for experience volunteering with children or within a library
setting.
• you’re able to commit a small amount of time each week.
Anyone is welcome to apply to volunteer: parents, carers, grandparents and
students.
Required skills, experience, interests and knowledge…
You will need:
• reliability and the ability to make a regular commitment to the library.
• enjoyment in working with children.
• be proactive and self-directed.
• clear communication skills.
Z-arts Children’s Library May 2023
• fun and friendly attitude.
• be inclusive and welcoming.
• the ability to manage activities for children and families and encourage them to
take part.
• an interest in children’s literature.
Benefits of volunteering
By volunteering in this role, you will get:
• new skills, experience and knowledge of helping within a Children’s Library
located in the UK’s only dedicated art centre for children and families.
• a boost to your communication skills and confidence.
• friends and social contact.
• evidence for your CV.
• reference for future employment (if needed).
• free tickets to Z-arts events and performances.
• free refreshments from the café for each volunteering session.
• staff discount in the shop.
• wider opportunities from Manchester Libraries Network.
• opportunities to engage with creative programme.
Hours of volunteering
• The Library is open from 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Friday and 9.30am to 4.30pm
on Saturdays
• You can see the fill programme of activities here: Z-arts Children’s Library - Zarts
• We are looking for people who can commit a small amount of time each week.
• We ideally need day volunteers on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to
12pm to support pre-school & baby activities.
• We ideally need afternoon volunteers Tuesday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm.
• We ideally need weekend volunteers anytime on Saturday from 9.30am to
4.30pm.
• We would appreciate a commitment for at least 12 months but are very flexible
in this request.
Location
This role will be based at Z-arts Children’s Library, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme,
Manchester M15 5ZA
Z-arts Children’s Library May 2023
Travel
If needed, volunteers can ask for reimbursement of reasonable expenses for travel to
and from Z-arts.
Training and support
You will receive the following training:
• induction, health & safety, safeguarding, general information about Z-arts and
the Children’s Library.
• opportunity to join Z-arts staff development programme and training
opportunities.
• opportunity to join Z-arts wellbeing, diversity and access subgroups.
• opportunities to learn about children’s development, learning, literacy and
literature.
You will receive the following support:
• regular contact with the Head of Creative Development and Creative Team.
members, Visitor Experience Manager and the Creative Assistant who helps
manage the volunteer programme.
• support from Z-arts Staff who understand and undertake role.
• opportunity to meet with other volunteers.
The volunteering process:
First register your interest by emailing tabitha@z-arts.org
There is no application deadline as this is a rolling programme of volunteer
recruitment.
We will then send you a short simple application form to fill in.
You will also need to:
• attend a short, informal meeting.
• give us details of 2 references.
• complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme check prior to starting.
• We’ll process the required Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme check for
you for free.
• If your volunteering application is successful and once we have your references
and a satisfactory DBS check we’ll confirm your acceptance.
• Then we will agree your training and session start dates and times for your role
Z-arts are on the lookout for a team of volunteers to help in our Children’s Library.
Our library is a community library and part of Manchester Libraries network.
The Role
As one of our helpers you will…
• assist Z-arts staff with our programme of activities for babies and children
within the library.
• welcoming children and parents as they arrive into the library and for events.
• helping prepare for regular baby and toddler activities in advance of sessions,
including preparing activities and setting out equipment.
• joining in with activities as appropriate and assisting children to further develop
their own skills.
• support a range of children’s activities which could include craft sessions,
colouring, LEGO construction, storytelling and quizzes.
• help keep the library looking inspiring and create imaginative displays.
• help children and families find books they’ll love.
• encouraging library visitors to become members.
This volunteer role is suitable for you if:
• if you’re enthusiastic about encouraging children’s literacy, learning
and development.
• if you’re passionate about books, reading, stories, imagination and creativity.
• if you want to help children and their families participate in library activities.
• if you’re looking for experience volunteering with children or within a library
setting.
• you’re able to commit a small amount of time each week.
Anyone is welcome to apply to volunteer: parents, carers, grandparents and
students.
Required skills, experience, interests and knowledge…
You will need:
• reliability and the ability to make a regular commitment to the library.
• enjoyment in working with children.
• be proactive and self-directed.
• clear communication skills.
Z-arts Children’s Library May 2023
• fun and friendly attitude.
• be inclusive and welcoming.
• the ability to manage activities for children and families and encourage them to
take part.
• an interest in children’s literature.
Benefits of volunteering
By volunteering in this role, you will get:
• new skills, experience and knowledge of helping within a Children’s Library
located in the UK’s only dedicated art centre for children and families.
• a boost to your communication skills and confidence.
• friends and social contact.
• evidence for your CV.
• reference for future employment (if needed).
• free tickets to Z-arts events and performances.
• free refreshments from the café for each volunteering session.
• staff discount in the shop.
• wider opportunities from Manchester Libraries Network.
• opportunities to engage with creative programme.
Hours of volunteering
• The Library is open from 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Friday and 9.30am to 4.30pm
on Saturdays
• You can see the fill programme of activities here: Z-arts Children’s Library - Zarts
• We are looking for people who can commit a small amount of time each week.
• We ideally need day volunteers on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to
12pm to support pre-school & baby activities.
• We ideally need afternoon volunteers Tuesday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm.
• We ideally need weekend volunteers anytime on Saturday from 9.30am to
4.30pm.
• We would appreciate a commitment for at least 12 months but are very flexible
in this request.
Location
This role will be based at Z-arts Children’s Library, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme,
Manchester M15 5ZA
Z-arts Children’s Library May 2023
Travel
If needed, volunteers can ask for reimbursement of reasonable expenses for travel to
and from Z-arts.
Training and support
You will receive the following training:
• induction, health & safety, safeguarding, general information about Z-arts and
the Children’s Library.
• opportunity to join Z-arts staff development programme and training
opportunities.
• opportunity to join Z-arts wellbeing, diversity and access subgroups.
• opportunities to learn about children’s development, learning, literacy and
literature.
You will receive the following support:
• regular contact with the Head of Creative Development and Creative Team.
members, Visitor Experience Manager and the Creative Assistant who helps
manage the volunteer programme.
• support from Z-arts Staff who understand and undertake role.
• opportunity to meet with other volunteers.
The volunteering process:
First register your interest by emailing tabitha@z-arts.org
There is no application deadline as this is a rolling programme of volunteer
recruitment.
We will then send you a short simple application form to fill in.
You will also need to:
• attend a short, informal meeting.
• give us details of 2 references.
• complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme check prior to starting.
• We’ll process the required Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme check for
you for free.
• If your volunteering application is successful and once we have your references
and a satisfactory DBS check we’ll confirm your acceptance.
• Then we will agree your training and session start dates and times for your role
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Creative Skills, Customer Service, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: No
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday AM, Wednesday PM, Thursday AM, Friday AM, Friday PM, Saturday AM, Saturday PM
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 2 per week
Location: