Reading Volunteer

Volunteer: Reading Volunteer for SeeAbility

Location: Southmoor, near Abingdon 
Hours: Flexible, as agreed

Do you love getting lost in a good book? Are you patient, kind, and passionate about helping others enjoy stories and conversation? Join us as a Reading Volunteer at SeeAbility and help make reading fun, inclusive, and meaningful for people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss.

What You Will Be Doing

As a Reading Volunteer, you will spend time reading with and supporting people we support to enjoy books, stories, magazines, poetry, and conversation. This could include:

• Reading aloud in a relaxed and friendly way 
• Supporting people to choose books and topics they enjoy 
• Encouraging communication, confidence, and imagination 
• Sharing laughter, conversation, and meaningful one-to-one time 
• Helping create a calm and enjoyable reading experience 

Whether it is a favourite childhood story, an audiobook, or discovering something new together, your time will help bring books to life.

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. In 2024 we celebrated our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time.

SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

The Difference You Will Make

For many people we support, reading and shared storytelling can reduce isolation, build confidence, improve communication, and create joyful moments of connection.

Your support could help someone:

• Feel more included and valued 
• Develop confidence and social skills 
• Discover new interests and experiences 
• Enjoy companionship and meaningful interaction 
• Experience the comfort and fun that stories can bring 

Sometimes, simply having someone patient and understanding to spend time with can make a huge difference.

Skills Required

We are looking for volunteers who are:

• Friendly, patient, and dependable 
• Empathic, understanding, and encouraging 
• Passionate about books, stories, and conversation 
• Good listeners with a positive attitude 
• Comfortable supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss 

No previous experience is required — just enthusiasm, kindness, and a love of reading.

Requirements

• Complete a DBS check 
• Provide references 
• Complete online training provided by SeeAbility 

We will support you throughout the process.

The Benefits of Volunteering

• Gaining valuable experience and skills 
• Meeting new people and becoming part of a supportive team 
• Making a genuine difference in someone’s life 
• Building confidence and communication skills 
• Sharing your love of books and storytelling 
• Receiving training and ongoing support 
• We cover travel expenses up to 20 miles 

Apply

If you would like to become a Reading Volunteer, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply by emailing: askvolunteering@seeability.org or apply by following the link to our application form.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.