Essex Library Services Reading Friends

What is the role about?

Reading Friends is an exciting UK-wide programme from The Reading Agency. It’s been piloted in some other parts of the country over the last few years and now is being extended to Essex.

Developed with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, Reading Friends deals with loneliness by bringing people together to read, chat and share stories. Essex Library Services is looking for volunteers to support the roll- out of the Reading Friends programme across Essex.

What will it involve?

*Chatting to people, either one to one, or in groups, using reading to get people talking. Contact will be via phone or computer initially. After restrictions are lifted, it is planned to do in-person sessions (活动时间) in libraries.

*Using reading — whether books, magazines, newspapers, or anything else — to start conversations. Nothing needs to be read before the session.

What skills and experience do you need?

*An interest in people

*Good communication and people skills

*Love of books and reading is not necessary, but would be a bonus

What will you get from volunteering?

*The satisfaction of contributing to the community and potentially preventing loneliness

*The chance to share the joy of reading

*Develop your experience and skills to enhance your resume (简历)

*A certificate of appreciation for coming along and helping out, which looks great on a resume

For Zack, the shave was more than just a way to fund lifesaving research. It was a way to honor his late brother, Taylor Frink.

Taylor, a volunteer firefighter in North Carolina, was killed in a car accident last September. Before his passing, Taylor was an eager supporter of St. Baldrick’s. He went bald（秃头）for the cause in 2015, supporting kids with cancer and raising money to find cures.

As a local hero, Taylor was beloved by the community. When he died, more than 1,000 people attended his funeral to pay their respects. Zack looked up to his brother and this was the reason why he decided to become a junior firefighter himself. They did everything together, Zack remembers.

Zack knew his brother had planned to shave again in 2016, so without hesitation he decided to fill his shoes and registered to shave at the local St. Baldrick’s event in Kinston, N.C.

“He was always goodhearted, and I want to make my brother proud,” shares Zack.

As part of Zack’s kindnesses, he raised more than $ 1,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation primarily by selling T-shirts he designed. Leading up to the event, Zack also visited his city council, commissioner’s office and challenged the local official department to get involved.

“We are not going to let Taylor's name be forgotten. That is what I love about St Baldrick’s,” says Jean Culbreth, volunteer event organizer. “Zack gets it. He gets that what he is doing is keeping his brother’s name alive.”

The day finally came and Zack took his seat under the clippers（剪具）, not only to honor his brother but to help kids with cancer. It was a special moment for all, and by the end of the day the event had raised more than $22,000!