There‘s still time for the county’s young people to sign up to help with this year’s free Summer Reading Challenge activities.
“Muuuuuuuuuuuuuum, I’m sooooooooooooo boooooooooooooored! There’s nothing to dooooooooooo!” is an all too familiar lament during school holidays!
However, Staffordshire County Council are aiming to get enthusiastic youngsters actively involved in volunteering for a fun holiday scheme in libraries this summer.
Libraries across the county are looking for volunteers aged between 12 and 25, who can commit a minimum of 12 hours over the 6 week holiday period, to help run this very popular reading scheme.
Last year 46 volunteers across Staffordshire came forward to help, providing invaluable support to both library staff and youngsters taking part.
County Councillor Mike Lawrence, Staffordshire’s Library Leader, emphasized the vital role volunteers play in the success of the Summer Reading Challenge, and explained they’ve also had great fun too.
“A lot of hard work and energy goes into running the Summer Reading Challenge activities in local libraries,” he said. “Last year’s volunteers helped our dedicated library staff make reading fun for more children than ever before over the long school break.”
There are many advantages to volunteering for the innovative scheme. “It’s a chance to meet new people, gain new skills, bring books to life and encourage children to discover the joy of reading for pleasure. “
“The Challenge has proved to be incredibly popular with the county’s youngsters over the years with a record number getting involved in last year’s “Creepy House” activities.”
The theme for 2014 is ‘Mythical Maze’, challenging children aged 4 to 11 to find their way around a labyrinth full of fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology, collecting stickers of each character along the way.
Children will be able to sign up for the challenge at their local library and will receive a free starter pack.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge can contact their local library, telephone 0300 111 8000 or apply online at the Volunteer Staffordshire website:www.volunteerstaffordshire.co.uk
