Volunteer - Join us and make a real difference to a child's life
An EfL volunteer's time can be enough to transform a child’s reading ability, ensuring that they are able to get the most out of their education and enabling them to explore new worlds of knowledge, inspiration, creativity and fun.
A Volunteers View
Heather, Volunteer Tutor
Ways To Volunteer
What’s Required To Become An EfL Volunteer?
If you have some time to spare, are a person of faith and if you enjoy spending time with children, you could become a EfL Volunteer. We do not ask for any particular educational experience and/or qualifications other than your previous involvement with church and/or faith organisation activities. Our volunteers are drawn from all walks of life, and range in age from 18 to 92, and get enormous pleasure from seeing the difference that a few hours of their time can make to a child’s reading ability, confidence and enjoyment.
We do request that you commit to a minimum of a year’s volunteering during term times and, in compliance with our Child Protection Protocol, will require you to have a an Enhanced Access NI check carried out.
Click here to find out more about the Enhanced Access NI process.
The EfL policies which are relevant to the AccessNI process are: EfL GDPR Policy (including Privacy Notice); EfL Policy on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders; and EfL Disposal and Safe Handling of Information.
EfL GDPR Policy and Privacy Notice May 2022
EfL Policy on Disposal and Safe Handling of Information
EfL Policy on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders
GETTING STARTED
So, how does it work?
When we receive your initial contact mobile or landline, you will receive a call from our Office Manager Pat Hutchinson, she will explain how it works on a practical level. She will chat with you about your commitment and the time required to be a Volunteer Tutor (usually one hour per week), what area you would like to work in and any days you are not free. We always pray with the prospective Volunteer at the end of the call.
You will then receive a lengthy email which will include an Application form, Access NI process and other standard required information if you are going to work with children.
When you return your application form, we will send for 2 references. Starting your Access NI (police check) is crucial and when it complete and your ID documents have been submitted to the Office Manager, she can finish the process.
We can then discuss which school team you might be suitable for you. An interview will take place and Child Protection Training will be undertaken in the Argyle Centre as part of your team.
What next?
We can then arrange an induction in the school which comprises a tour of the school, meet the principal, get to know the team you will work alongside. If you are placed in an existing team the Team leader will support, you through this part of the process.
Pat from EfL will keep you informed at every stage of the application process and will remain available to support you and answer any queries on an on-going basis.
It can take time…
The joining process is simple and we will make every effort to get you started as quickly as possible.
Please note, however, that depending on your location, individual circumstances and the level of need within local schools, it can take anything from two weeks to three months to place you. On very rare occasions, a match cannot be found.
Our code of conduct
We ask all of our volunteers to sign up to the Code of Conduct which we have formulated in consultation with our partner schools. Click here to download the handbook.
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
EfL’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy is available on request or by clicking on this link.