Volunteer with Shared Reading

Be part of something special - connect, inspire, and make a difference through the power of words.

Volunteers are at the heart of Shared Reading. They bring warmth, creativity and kindness to every group, helping people across Derby and Derbyshire connect, reflect, and feel less alone through the joy of stories and poems.

Whether you’re an experienced facilitator, a lifelong book lover, or simply someone who wants to make a difference in your community, we’d love to have you on our team.

What do Shared Reading volunteers do?

Most of our volunteers help run Shared Reading groups in libraries, cafés, hospitals, care homes, colleges, and community venues across Derby and Derbyshire.

Each Shared Reading group is led by at least two volunteers who plan, read aloud and facilitate sessions together, creating a welcoming space where participants can relax, connect, and feel included.

We also have other opportunities to get involved:

Group Volunteers - co-lead a regular Shared Reading group.
Floating Volunteers - cover group sessions when regular volunteers are away.
Event Volunteers - help us to run one-off Shared Reading sessions, or chat to visitors about Shared Reading at one-off events.
Poetry on a Postcard volunteers - join a small team of volunteers to find short, inspiring and uplifting poems to attach on the back of a postcard and send each month to our partner organisations. It’s a way to bring joy by post! In the past we have partnered with Derby Royal Hospital, Kingsway Hospital and Derbyshire Carers. All costs are covered by us.
Creative & Operational Support - help behind the scenes with marketing, photography, social media, filmography, bid writing, or managing our anthology of reading materials.

Whatever your background, skills, or availability, there’s likely a volunteering opportunity that fits you!