Volunteer Opportunities

Three children in every classroom in the West Midlands that are on free school meals don't have a book of their own at home. A child without a book is a less confident reader. Children who struggle with their reading and literacy can fall behind in lessons and do less well at school. The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity dedicated to giving children the literacy skills they need to succeed. The National Literacy Trust in Stoke-on-Trent focuses on helping children, young people and families in Stoke-on-Trent to have better access to literacy. We inspire families across the city to read together, share stories and help parents to support their children's literacy skills. In partnership with Stoke-on-Trent Libraries, the National Literacy Trust is running a series of six ‘Tales in the Park' storytelling festivals in parks across the six towns of Stoke-on-Trent. These fun events provide entertainment from professional storytellers, family activities and book gifting to local children. By supporting these events you will help to inspire families to enjoy stories together and develop a love of reading. You will help to provide a free fun day of family activities, which also supports health and wellbeing by encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle. And finally, for many children you could be giving them an opportunity to walk away with their first ever book of their own. Dates/Locations: 2026Tuesday 28 July - Tunstall ParkFriday 31 July - Hanley ParkTuesday 4 August - Yeaman StreetFriday 7 August - Fenton ParkTuesday 11 August - Longton ParkFriday 14 August - Burslem ParkThe events are 11am-3pm, setting up from 10am and up to an hour of tidying up time at the end. As they are busy events, regular breaks will be encouraged and lunch breaks enforced! Volunteers will be helping to register families attending the event, book gifting to children and helping with evaluation. If anyone has any other talents or interest such as storytelling, face painting, poetry or crafting etc then encourage them to let us know and we might well draw on their skills! It would be great if you had any available staff that could be spread across multiple events – rather than a group at one, and none at another.