Thinking of Becoming a Volunteer?

Our Community Library

Stoneleigh Library is run entirely by a family of volunteers for the benefit of our community.

We have many and varied roles so you'll probably find something you'll really enjoy doing and it only needs to be for a few hours a month.

Marvin at a table

We rely on people just like you to keep this local resource available for everyone.

The Benefits of VolunteeringApply Online Graphic

Volunteering helps you make new friends, increases your confidence and lets you play a part in your community. It can also give you a better chance of getting paid work or improving your career prospects. In particular, it can help you to:

  • Learn something new
  • Put your experience and skills to good use
  • Discover new hobbies and interests
  • Include volunteering experience on your CV
  • Show potential employers you can handle a commitment

So why not have some fun doing something that gives you a sense of satisfaction and achievement?

Lots of different volunteering roles

Our family of volunteers is quite large and there are lots of roles to choose from depending on your abilities and interests.

If you're not sure or would like to try different things then you can join as a general volunteer which is an essential role that we rely on to deliver our day-to-day core service to the community.

Many of our volunteers are general volunteers and they undertake important tasks such as:

  • Helping people to use the Library
  • Processing and sorting books
Diana stocking the shelves

Other volunteering opportunities

As you may know, we pride ourselves on the fact that our community library is more than just books. We are a busy community hub and we need volunteers who can help with areas such as: 

  • Administrative support

  • Leading Rhymetime/Storytime for pre-schoolers

  • Devising and organising children's crafts and other activities

  • Organising school visits to the library and building links with local schools

  • Developing and organising special events at the library - including working with local organisations

  • Helping on the day at library events - both special events and regular activities (eg children's book group, chess club)

  • Creating campaigns to promote the library and its role in the community (eg on social media, through email newsletters)

  • Designing and implementing wall and book displays in the library

  • Maintaining our website

This is not an exhaustive list. If you think you could make a valuable contribution, please do talk to us.

Volunteer at main deskWhat can the Library expect from you?

Most general volunteers work a three-hour shift every fortnight. But we understand that people have busy lives so we’re quite flexible.
Other volunteer roles may take a different amount of time - but rarely much more than a few hours a month.   

Although we don’t pay travelling expenses, full training and support are given to all volunteers. Whilst previous library experience is not necessary, we do expect our volunteers to be:

  • Reliable
  • Willing to Learn
  • Happy to Help Others

Find out more?

If you’d just like to know a little more about how you can help your local community…

Please contact Diana Kay at the library in person or email at friendsstoneleighlib@gmail.com

Apply online or download a form here...Apply Online Graphic

Young Person's Volunteering

PLEASE NOTE: We normally welcome applications from young people to volunteer at the library but we are not accepting applications at this time - please check back in March 2023. 

Many find it a useful experience to support their Duke of Edinburgh scheme and educational or career aspirations. We would normally expect a few months commitment from you to ensure value from the training and support you will receive.

Young volunteers do need to be aged 14+ or in year 9 at school.

The Young Person's Volunteer Application Form can usually be collected from the library or downloaded as a PDF or Microsoft Word document by clicking on the text below - BUT THIS HAS BEEN DISABLED AS WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING ANY NEW APPLICATIONS AT THIS TIME.

 

Adult Volunteering

The easiest way to start a conversation with us about volunteering is to complete our Adult Application Form online and we'll be in contact with you in a few days.

If you prefer, you can also collect our Adult Application Form from the library in person or it can be downloaded as a PDF or Microsoft Word document below:

Once completed, forms can be emailed to friendsstoneleighlib@gmail.com, handed in at the library or posted to:

Friends of Stoneleigh Library, Stoneleigh Library, 1 The Broadway, Stoneleigh, Epsom, Surrey KT17 2JA