Overview
2026 will be a National Year of Reading, a once-in-a-generation, UK-wide campaign to engage new audiences in reading and change the national reading culture for good. The National Literacy Trust will lead, develop and coordinate the National Year of Reading, ensuring a powerful and engaging national campaign which redefines reading for a new generation. A core part of our plans is to mobilise thousands of volunteers across the country, including through our own Literacy Champions project, which identifies, trains and supports volunteers to promote literacy in their local area. This may be in person or online and includes everything from community book‑swaps and reading corners, to setting up homework clubs and creating videos.
What we do
* We work collaboratively in local communities, focusing our work in 20 areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges.
* We support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children.
* We campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and decision‑makers.
* We support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system and young offenders' institutions to build their literacy skills.
Responsibilities
In this maternity cover role you will coordinate this work across the Yorkshire and Humber region, identifying and engaging organisations and volunteer groups, and providing training and support so they can become Literacy Champions. You will also work with first‑time volunteers who sign up to support the National Year of Reading. This is an opportunity to build a new network of volunteers from the ground up. You will work alongside our existing local teams based in your region, and with the support of our central volunteering team, and be part of a network of colleagues doing a similar role in each of the nine English regions. Alongside this regional activation, you will also oversee the delivery of our Literacy Champions project as part of the development and delivery of our Literacy Hub in Doncaster. A Hub is a place‑based response to the challenges of intergenerational low literacy, working with a range of partners to shape and deliver activity as part of a local strategy. You will be responsible for working within target communities across the town, and will develop new strategies for recruiting, developing and supporting volunteers, and mobilising key local partnerships to support these. You will be based in Doncaster, working from home with regular travel locally and across the Yorkshire and Humber region, as well as national travel when necessary. All travel expenses will be covered.
Qualifications
You will be experienced in recruiting, training and supporting volunteers, and providing project support in a charity or educational context. You will also have experience of working with early years settings, schools or community organisations, and good knowledge of safeguarding practice in this context. Experience of community mobilisation, and developing resources and training materials, would be an advantage, as would an excellent knowledge of literacy issues. You will need to live in Doncaster, and have an excellent understanding of its communities and families. Due to the nature of delivery, you will need a full clean driving licence and access to your own vehicle. You will also need to be able to manage physical aspects of the role, including managing book stocks and other resources.
What we offer you
Our team are passionate about our mission and we have a strong and positive working culture, based on shared values and respect. As well as a competitive salary, we offer benefits including a generous leave allowance totalling 39 days (including bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year), pension contributions of 8% of annual salary, a cycle‑to‑work scheme, employee assistance programme and other health and wellbeing benefits. We support flexible working and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to our success, whoever you are.
#J-18808-Ljbffr