Call for volunteers
We are looking for volunteers at Crowthorne Library to help lead and support our new code club on a Saturday morning.
If you can help, email library.volunteering@bracknell-forest.gov.uk to find out more.
The role
To help children aged 7 to 13 to gain computer coding, problem-solving, planning, design and collaboration skills.
This role is in collaboration with Code Club.
This role is suitable for you if:
- you’re enthusiastic about encouraging children’s learning and problem-solving
- you’re confident about using computers (although you don’t need coding skills – training will be provided)
- you want to share your skills
As a Code Club leader volunteer, you will be:
- volunteering alongside other volunteers to lead a Code Club
- assisting children in small groups with Code Club projects which includes creating games, animations and websites
- helping children on a one-to-one basis and in small groups
- helping children learn a wide range of skills, including creative thinking and analyses’ skills
Required skills, experience, interests and knowledge
You will need:
- reliability and the ability to make a regular commitment to the library for the Code Club programme (12 weeks per programme)
- availability for about 1½ hours per week during that programme
- to be able to spend time preparing online for session, which can be done at any time and venue (including your home)
- confident and willing to learn - you don’t have to be a “coding genius” as clubs start with simple programs like Scratch
- interest in and commitment to helping children learn, and in emphasising the benefits to children (and their parents) of understanding computer coding
Benefits of volunteering
By volunteering in this role, you will get:
- free training from Code Club: learn Scratch, HTML, CSS and Python programming languages
- improved knowledge and skills of children’s development
- a boost to your communication skills and confidence
- friends and social contact
- evidence for your CV
- references for future employment
Commitment
We ask you to commit to at least 12 weeks (one school term), while more is appreciated due to high demand.
Location
We are currently running our Code Clubs at Bracknell Central, Crowthorne, Sandhurst and Great Hollands libraries, but are delighted to receive interest in volunteering at any of our libraries.
Travel
No travel is expected for this role. If needed, volunteers can ask for reimbursement of reasonable expenses for travel.
Training and support
You will receive the following training:
- induction, safety, safeguarding, general information about libraries
- children’s safeguarding awareness
- Code Club training
You will receive the following support:
- regular contact with Library Supervisor and Code Club Coordinator
- online support from Code Club; some face-to-face meetings nationwide organised by Code Club
- opportunity to meet with other Bracknell Library volunteers
The volunteering process
First, register your interest with Bracknell Forest library service.
We will then send you an application form to fill in. At the same time, you should register with Code Club.
You will also need to:
- attend at a short, informal interview/meeting
- give us details of 2 references
- complete simple online Code Club training
We will process the required Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme check for you for free.
After making an application
If your volunteering application is successful, once we have your references and a satisfactory DBS check, we will agree your training and session start dates and times for your role.
You will also be contacted by Code Club once you have registered, and provided with their information.
More information
For more information, you can email library.volunteering@bracknell-forest.gov.uk and from Code Club.