Are you looking for a way to meet new people? To be more involved in your local community? Perhaps you have skills that you want to share with others? Your local library is looking for people just like you!

East Sussex Libraries is always on the lookout for enthusiastic and driven individuals to join their team of volunteers. There are opportunities for everyone, including:

  • rhyme and storytimes with children under five
  • help with our homework and activity clubs for primary aged children
  • ITforYou to support adults with essential IT skills
  • Reading Friends volunteers who help to tackle loneliness by sharing stories with others, either 1-2-1 in a person’s home, or as part of a Reading Friends Group.

Eastbourne Library is currently seeking someone who loves bringing nursery rhymes to life through singing and dancing, for their Rhymetime volunteer post. To find out more about what the role involves, we sat down with one Bexhill resident who recently became a Rhymetime volunteer themselves, Jacque Macdonald.

Jacque Macdonald – Rhymetime, Bexhill

“My husband and I moved to Bexhill in December 2020 and due to Covid, couldn’t get out to meet new people. When restrictions were lifted, I joined Bexhill Library in the hope of doing something with my time and to meet other people in the community.

“The ever so helpful library staff told me about their volunteering opportunities, mentioning that they were looking for a volunteer to run Rhymetime once a week. The process of applying to be a volunteer was very easy, I completed the online application and within a few days was on a Zoom call with the volunteer coordinator, who was extremely informative and friendly!

“I must admit that I was a little nervous before my first session, as it’s been quite a few years since I’ve had much contact with little ones. I was worried that I wouldn’t know many of the rhymes, but it didn’t take very long to remember them all and I was soon shaking my maracas and singing along! I was given all the help and confidence I needed from the coordinator who has been running the group in the absence of a volunteer, called Emily who has been very supportive, preparing me to take over from her.

“Becoming a Rhymetime volunteer has been one of the best things I’ve done over the last few years. I look forward to Tuesday mornings and seeing all those little faces enjoying a sing along (even if they spend more time crawling around and chewing all the musical instruments!).

“I really feel that I have achieved something, I’m getting my confidence back, and have a real purpose on Tuesday mornings. The fact that I’m doing something for both myself and the Mums, Dads, Nanas, Grandads, carers and of course the little ones makes it all the more enjoyable.”

To apply for any of our volunteer roles, please visit Our roles | East Sussex County Council.

All volunteers will be supported and offered training to help them in their role and have the chance to meet other people (including volunteers), learn new skills as well as give something back to their community.