Being a Bookworm volunteer is a fun, satisfying, physically active and interesting way to spend a few hours. If you love reading then it provides an opportunity to talk about books with customers and other volunteers. We love it when customers come with a list of books - it’s so satisfying to send them away with several crossed off their lists. Bookworm customers come from all over the world, and we have our regulars too, so there’s rarely a dull moment.

We need friendly book-lovers with some basic IT skills. Volunteers help customers to find books, tidy shelves in alphabetical order, take in donations, answer the phone, clean and tidy, research book prices, list books to sell online, use the till and card payment machine, and make tea. Your relevant skills and experience can be from a wide range of places - you probably do most of this in your own home. As a new volunteer you may want to try out all of the possible tasks or you may want to focus on certain ones.

Many volunteers start with one shift per week which is half a day. A morning shift begins at 10am and finishes at 1pm. The afternoon shift begins at 1pm and finishes at 4pm. Some volunteers cover more than one shift per week and we cover for each other on a voluntary basis when someone is on holiday or ill.

Come and have a look around the shop, browse the books, sit in an armchair and imagine yourself working here. Many of us have been customers before we became volunteers. Ask questions and buy a book or a jigsaw and watch the process. If you have specific questions then send an email addressed to our manager Karen Brennan or pop in and ask!

As a new volunteer you will be teamed up with an experienced colleague. Most shifts have two or three staff on duty so you won’t be alone. Don’t let the thought of, for example, using the till or card machine put you off - there will be someone else around to do it until you feel comfortable.

The best way is to send a short email addressed to our manager, Karen Brennan, in which you tell us about yourself and why you would like to become a Bookworm Volunteer. If we have an appropriate opening for you then Karen, will be in contact to arrange a visit to the shop. Tell us in the email which days of the week you are available and which shift you would prefer - morning or afternoon.