Leading health and wellbeing charity Royal Voluntary Service has issued a call for people in
Norfolk to play their part in bringing the magic of books to the homes of more people.
Working with the Norfolk Library and Information Service, the Home Library team select and
deliver books and other media to those who may find it difficult to leave the house, have
mobility issues, or caring responsibilities. Through the service, volunteers are also providing
invaluable regular social contact, spending time with readers to discuss their reading and
listening preferences, checking in on their wellbeing, and having a friendly chat.
The Home Library Service is looking to welcome volunteers for all 48 libraries across Norfolk
to brighten the days of readers but is urgently in need of more volunteers in Great Yarmouth,
Martham and Sheringham in particular.
Despite being an avid reader, Prue finds it difficult to leave her home to visit her local library
due to limited mobility. However, with the help of Home Library Service volunteers, Prue can
have her favourite books delivered directly to her doorstep whilst also having a friendly chat.
Prue said: “The service helps me get through the day. I’ve always been an avid reader, the
visits and books are a lifeline.”
Alicia Stillman, Service Manager for Royal Voluntary Service Norfolk Home Library Service
said: “Reading can transport us to other worlds which is amazing, and our service is about
so much more than books. Volunteers can reduce social isolation, help our readers to keep
their minds healthy with reading, and genuinely brighten people’s days with their visits.
“If you have just a few spare hours a month, this is a flexible role where you could bring the
wonders of the local library to people in your community and make a huge difference to their
health and wellbeing.”
As well as offering books, audiobooks, puzzles, and great company, volunteers can also
train to become a Digital Inclusion Champion and assist readers with the libraries’ new
Laptops For Loan scheme.
Those who think they might benefit from the Home Library Service can find out more by
contacting the Norfolk Library and Information Service on 01603 774 777 (option 1) or email
[email protected].
Norfolk Library and Information Service, RNIB and Vision Norfolk are also looking for volunteers to offer
IT support to people with a visual impairment.
We currently have a volunteer led monthly session taking place at the Millennium Library in
Norwich. We are looking for volunteers to set up similar sessions at Great Yarmouth Library, King’s
Lynn Library, Thetford Library and Dereham Library.
Experience of supporting someone with a visual impairment is welcome but not essential.
Training is available to all new volunteers in how technology can help support someone with a visual
impairment to:
- Adjust accessibility settings to make pages larger, clearer or increase font sizes
- Message using a smartphone
- Access email on a tablet or smartphone
- Find transport information
- Access e-audio books
If you would like to help someone with a visual impairment access technology such as email, e-audio
books and online content, please do contact: [email protected]
Similar roles are also available with the RNIB and Vision Norfolk across the county. For further details
please see: https://www.rnib.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/volunteering-
opportunities/opportunity-11429-roaming-tech-support/ or the Vision Norfolk Website
