Volunteer reading Coach Co-Ordniator

Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups. The role of the Coordinator is to be the first point of contact for those who want to learn to read. Using a simple assessment, the Coordinator will explain to a potential new ‘Reader’ how Read Easy may be able to help them.

The Coordinator Supporter is the main point of contact on the Management Team for Coordinators. They play a crucial role in ensuring that the Coordinators feel well supported, so that they in turn can support Readers and Coaches. Your Coordinators help interview Reading Coaches, assess and enrol Readers before pairing them with trained coaches; then offer ongoing support to these Reading Pairs, visiting their reading sessions occasionally and maintaining support through regular calls with both Reader and Coach to check all is going well. They call on the group’s Literacy Specialist to respond to any literacy related difficulties a pair may be having. They also help run Coach meetings.

What you will be doing:

• Holding regular Coordinator meetings where current issues are discussed together
• Supporting your Coordinators with all matters that are non-literacy related, providing any ad-hoc administrative support they may need
• Collating Reader enrolment and graduation numbers, sharing these with your team
• Receiving your Coordinators’ written reports and sharing these with the Management Team
• Attending and inviting Coordinators to attend Management Team meetings (typically every 6-8 weeks)
• Supporting the Volunteer Recruiter with the recruitment of further Coordinators

How we will support you:

You will be provided with the Management Team Handbook, Coach Training to ensure that you know what is expected of Read Easy Reading Coaches and in turn their Coordinators, induction, policies and guidance specifically needed for this role, including access to support from a Read Easy UK Regional Adviser, via your Team Leader. You will also be invited to Read Easy UK’s regional forums and annual conference which give volunteers an opportunity for networking with those from other groups.

What skills do I need?

An understanding of what motivates others and how to run meetings for a small team

• Good communication and people skills, with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Reasonable confidence in using IT.
• The ability to use initiative and work independently.
• A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures.
• An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for and offer support to the Team.
• A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included.
• Energy and enthusiasm with an average of two hours a week to commit to the role.

Interests

• Employment, Education and Training

Activities

• Teaching and Training