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Volunteering at Idea Store

Volunteering is a great way to get involved with your local community, gain valuable experience and develop skills for employment. You also get to meet new people and learn new things! Volunteer opportunities are available for young people and adults who would like to support activities at their local Idea Store or library. 

We need volunteers who enjoy helping others and can commit to attending regularly. We greatly value the support provided by volunteers and invite you to get involved if you think you can help make a difference. 

Whether it’s for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, to add to your CV, job or university applications or simply because you want to keep busy or give back to the community …we may have a role for you! Check out our current opportunities and register online. If registration is closed, please keep an eye out for future updates.

To volunteer with Idea Store, you must either live or work in Tower Hamlets, attend a local school or be enrolled with Idea Store Learning.

For information about volunteering opportunities in Tower Hamlets, visit Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets

Art Club Volunteer

  • Assist Idea Store staff to run weekly Art Club sessions
  • Help prepare resources and deliver activities
  • Support children with their creative projects
  • Ensure sessions are welcoming and enjoyable
  • Help set up/pack away, before and after sessions
  • Promote Art Club and other fun activities

You must be aged 14 - 17 and available Saturday 2.30pm 4.30pm (6 sessions min.)

art club volunteers

Warm Hub Volunteer

  • Assisting staff to run the Warm Hub (Winter only)
  • Engaging with residents (chatting, playing games, sharing stories, or a cup of tea)
  • Making residents feel welcome (friendly faces or someone to talk to can be vital) 
  • Serving hot drinks and snacks (soup or hot meals may be available at some hubs)
  • Helping with activities like bingo, arts & crafts or board games. Ideas welcome!
  • Promoting the hubs and collecting feedback/comments from Warm Hub users
  • Setting up the Warm Hub area/helping to keep it clean and tidy

Registration has now closed

warm hubs

Homework Club Volunteer

  • Assisting Idea Store staff to run the Homework Club (at your chosen site)
  • Providing homework support to children who attend weekly sessions
  • Helping to create a positive and informal environment that encourages learning
  • Making children and their families feel welcome
  • Use books, online resources and other methods to support learning
  • Promoting Idea Store Homework Clubs and other activities for children and families

You must be aged 15 - 17 and available from 4pm - 6pm once a week (20 hours per term)

Registration is currently closed

volunteers using a computer

Digital Volunteer

  • Assisting residents at weekly Get Online drop-in sessions (basic IT)
  • Helping staff prepare and deliver activities for people who attend
  • Making participants feel welcome and providing a friendly face
  • Setting up and clearing up before and after drop-in sessions
  • Promoting Idea Store digital skills activities, App and online resources
  • Promoting & supporting Get Online Week activities (Sep - Oct only)

Tuesdays, 2.15 - 3.45pm at Idea Store Chrisp Street

Wednesdays, 2.15 - 3.45pm at Idea Store Whitechapel

Thursdays, 2.15 - 3.45pm at Idea Store Bow

You must be over 18 and available regularly for 2 hours per week

people at computers

Classroom Volunteer

  • Support adult learners in weekly Idea Store Learning classes
  • Work alongside a qualified subject specialist Tutor
  • Help deliver class activities, group work and 1:1 support
  • Share your skills, knowledge and experience of the subject with learners
  • Assist with setting up and tidying the classroom
  • Promote adult learning courses and other Idea Store events

You must be aged 19 or over and possess relevant skills, knowledge and experience in the subject you wish to support. You must be available 2-3 hours per week for at least one term (10 weeks approximately). We particularly encourage Idea Store Learners to apply.

Registration is currently closed

three learners looking at a workbook

School Work Experience placements

We host a limited number of placements in partnership with WorkPath

For enquiries about school work experience opportunities, please contact the council’s Work Experience Team at: workexp@towerhamlets.gov.uk

teenage volunteer

Summer Reading Challenge Volunteer

  • Work with staff to help deliver the Summer Reading Challenge 
  • Encourage children and families to sign-up and get involved
  • Help deliver fun activities and prize games such as mask-making, drawing, etc
  • Engage with families and support younger children with reading
  • Assist in the delivery of daily Storytime sessions
  • Assist with general housekeeping in the children’s library area

You must be aged 14 – 17 and available 4 hours per day for at least one week or more over the summer.

Applications for Summer Reading Challenge volunteers are currently closed.

src volunteers

Local History Volunteer 

  • cataloguing
  • transcribing and indexing
  • repackaging items to help with long term preservation
  • helping to develop and deliver public events. This includes exhibitions, film screenings, book sales and family history days
  • helping to digitise local history library and archive material
  • identifying duplicate stock
  • helping visitors at Access Open Days with research support
inside local history library