Volunteering Opportunities with Bookbanks

About

Bookbanks is a dynamic, young and local charity that brings books to food banks. The charity was founded a couple of years ago in London, though it has since become a national thing, with 11 current partner food banks across the UK, and more opening in November. 10 trained and local volunteers, with a background in books and a passion for widening access to them, look after each Bookbanks location on rotation every week, helping people find books to suit their interests. We give out around 1,500 books /month, and aim to increase this to 5,000 /month by reaching new locations. We train our volunteers to use books (as well as printed literacy activities, like word searches and crosswords) to spark conversations with guests, helping food banks in their efforts to engage with guests’ inner lives, as well as their immediate physical needs. We provide over 200 hours of conversation time each year at every Bookbanks location. We host literary events, known as Matthew’s Talks, including author readings and writing workshops (20 and counting), alongside regular visits from local librarians, to further transform partner food banks into places to exchange ideas and inspiration.