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Volunteering at Idea Store

Volunteering is a great way to get involved with your local community, develop your skills, knowledge and confidence and gain valuable “hands on” experience. It’s also a great way to meet new people and learn new things!

We offer a range of volunteering opportunities for both young people and adults who enjoy helping others and want to get more involved with their local Idea Store or library.

We are looking for volunteers who are friendly and enthusiastic and keen to make a difference! With guidance from staff, volunteers can get involved in a wide range of projects and help support the delivery of various activities and events.

To apply for a specific volunteer role with Idea Store, you must either live in Tower Hamlets, attend a school in the borough or completed an Idea Store Learning course.

We also welcome regular corporate volunteering. If you have ideas or suggestions please get in touch and let us know how you think you could help ideastore@towerhamlets.gov.uk

To find out more about volunteering opportunities in Tower Hamlets, visit the Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets

Summer Reading Challenge volunteer - FULLY BOOKED

  • Work with staff to help deliver the Summer Reading Challenge 
  • Encourage children and families to sign-up and get involved
  • Help deliver fun activities and prize games such as mask-making, drawing, etc
  • Engage with families and support younger children with reading
  • Assist in the delivery of daily Storytime sessions
  • Assist with general housekeeping in the children’s library area

You must be aged 14 – 17 and available 4 hours per day for at least one week or more over the summer.

All Summer Reading Challenge volunteering positions are currently full. 

volunteering fully booked

Warm Hub volunteer

  • Assisting staff to run the Warm Hub
  • Engaging with residents (chatting, playing games, sharing stories, or a cup of tea)
  • Making residents feel welcome (friendly faces or someone to talk to can be vital) 
  • Serving hot drinks and snacks (soup or hot meals may be available at some hubs)
  • Helping with activities like bingo, arts & crafts or board games. Ideas welcome!
  • Promoting the hubs and collecting feedback/comments from Warm Hub users
  • Setting up the Warm Hub area/helping to keep it clean and tidy

You must be friendly, over 16 and available regularly for at least 2-3 hours per week

warm hubs

Homework Club volunteer

  • Assisting Idea Store staff to run the Homework Club (at your chosen site)
  • Providing homework support to children who attend weekly sessions
  • Helping to create a positive and informal environment that encourages learning
  • Making children and their families feel welcome
  • Use books, online resources and other methods to support learning
  • Promoting Idea Store Homework Clubs and other activities for children and families

You must be aged 15 - 17 and available from 4pm - 6pm once a week (20 hours per term)

volunteers using a computer

Digital Volunteer

  • Assisting residents at weekly Get Online drop-in sessions (basic IT)
  • Helping staff prepare and deliver activities for people who attend
  • Making participants feel welcome and providing a friendly face
  • Setting up and clearing up before and after drop-in sessions
  • Promoting Idea Store digital skills activities, App and online resources
  • Promoting & supporting Get Online Week activities (Sep - Oct only)

Tuesdays, 2.15 - 3.45pm at Idea Store Chrisp Street

Wednesdays, 2.15 - 3.45pm at Idea Store Whitechapel

Thursdays, 2.15 - 3.45pm at Idea Store Bow

You must be over 18 and available regularly for 2 hours per week

people at computers

Classroom volunteer

  • Support adult learners in weekly Idea Store Learning classes
  • Work alongside a qualified subject specialist Tutor
  • Help deliver class activities, group work and 1:1 support
  • Share your skills, knowledge and experience of the subject with learners
  • Assist with setting up and tidying the classroom
  • Promote adult learning courses and other Idea Store events

You must be aged 19 or over and possess relevant skills, knowledge and experience in the subject you wish to support. You must be available 2-3 hours per week for at least one term (10 weeks approximately). We particularly encourage Idea Store Learners to apply.

three learners looking at a workbook

School Work Experience placements

Applications are currently via schools in Tower Hamlets working with The Switch (former Tower Hamlets Education and Business Partnership).

If your school works with the Switch, please speak to the Careers Team at your school for more details. We are unable to accept direct applications.

teenage volunteer

Local History volunteer 

  • cataloguing
  • transcribing and indexing
  • repackaging items to help with long term preservation
  • helping to develop and deliver public events. This includes exhibitions, film screenings, book sales and family history days
  • helping to digitise local history library and archive material
  • identifying duplicate stock
  • helping visitors at Access Open Days with research support
inside local history library