Opportunities
Prison Library Support Volunteer - HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution (YOI) Chelmsford

Prison Library Support Volunteer - HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution (YOI) Chelmsford

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

HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution (YOI) Chelmsford is a Category B facility in Chelmsford, Essex. It houses adult male prisoners and young offenders, mainly serving the local courts.

We are currently recruiting a part-time Prison Library Support Volunteer to support the prison library service within the unique environment of HMP/YOI Chelmsford.

What is the purpose of the role?

Volunteers play an important role in enhancing the prison library service by helping to create a welcoming, inclusive and engaging environment for library users.

By encouraging prisoners to make use of the library and the opportunities it offers, volunteers help to promote wellbeing, personal development and positive use of leisure time.

The primary purpose of this role is to support engagement with library services, resources and activities, helping to create a positive experience for all library users.

What will it involve?

Welcoming and supporting prisoners to use the library and its resources.

Promoting awareness of library services, activities and opportunities available within the library.

Supporting library-based activities, events and engagement initiatives.

Assisting with displays and promotional activities.

Encouraging library users to explore the range of resources available to them.

Supporting special events, campaigns and themed activities throughout the year.

Gathering informal feedback from library users to help improve the service.

Acting as a positive ambassador for the library service.

Supporting library staff with the organisation and promotion of stock, displays and activities.

Helping to create a welcoming and positive library environment.

What skills do I need?

Good communication skills and the ability to relate to people from a range of backgrounds.

Empathy and understanding towards people who may have complex needs or challenging life experiences.

An enthusiasm for libraries, learning, culture and community engagement.

The ability to engage positively with others and build effective relationships.

Confidence working independently and as part of a team.

Reliability and a commitment to maintaining professional boundaries.

A positive, flexible and approachable attitude.
Please note that the role involves moving around different areas of the prison, including stairs (no lifts) and passing through heavy security gates.

Posted for Essex Libraries

Posted by Volunteer Essex

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

Details

Accessibility
Data Protection policy
DBS check required
Equal opportunities policy
Expenses reimbursed
Health and Safety Policy
Ongoing support
Suitable for under 18s
Training provided
Volunteer induction
Volunteer policy
Volunteers covered by insurance
Written role description

When is this role available?

When: 10/08/2026 - 09/08/2027

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

A regular commitment is required, usually a 3 or 4-hour weekly shift. There is flexibility around when this takes place, provided you can make a regular commitment.
As a significant amount of training and prison vetting is required, we ask volunteers to commit to the role for a minimum of six months wherever possible.
Start date would only be agreed after an ‘interview’/chat in the prison with the Library Team Manager leading to prison vetting clearance, and prison 5 days induction

Location:

HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution (YOI)
200 Springfield Rd,
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 6JT

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

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