Volunteer

Our volunteers come from all walks of life.

Many have personal experience of struggling to learn to read, or they’ve worked in a profession where they understand how critical this skill is. Others simply want to share their joy of reading. 



Whatever your reason, you can help improve people’s life chances by volunteering with us.

Why volunteer at Shannon Trust?


Volunteering at Shannon Trust offers the opportunity to make a real difference to individuals in the criminal justice system. It’s a rewarding experience where you can build connections and develop new skills, while supporting learners in reaching their full potential.

Make a difference to people’s lives

Gain experience in the criminal justice sector

Use your skills and experience

Gain a sense of fulfilment

For the first time I feel like I am really making progress with numeracy, it has always been so difficult for me before.

Shannon Trust learner

I believe in myself now. I’m much more independent. I can’t get over that I can pick up a book and read it. It’s a miracle!

Shannon Trust learner

The rewards you get from seeing one of your learners read a page from a book they could not read before they started working with you, is the same as seeing your child walk for the first time.

Shannon Trust mentor

Volunteer with us

Volunteering at Shannon Trust allows you to build new skills, meet new people and new opportunities, and promote positive health and wellbeing. We actively welcome volunteers with lived experience of the justice system to help us improve reading and writing levels.
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- Approximately 7,500 learners engaged every year
- 2,000 mentors trained with the support of volunteers
- Volunteer in over 100 prisons
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Find the role for you

The different ways to volunteer

Prison Volunteering
Commmunity Volunteering
Business support Volunteering

FAQs

General Questions

What commitment is required to volunteer at Shannon Trust?
Is there a minimum age to volunteer at Shannon Trust?
I have access requirements, am I able to volunteer with you?
Do you provide transport to prisons and meetings as part of my volunteering?
If I live outside the UK, can I volunteer?
Will I need access to the internet if I volunteer with you?
I’m interested in a community or business support based volunteering role, will I need to use my own computer devices to volunteer?
I have skills that I think will be useful to Shannon Trust, but don’t think the current opportunities are right for me. Can I help in another way?
Can I volunteer as part of my employer's corporate volunteering days?

Application Questions

I have convictions, can I volunteer with you?
What happens after I sign up to volunteer and fill in an application form?
Do you require a reference to volunteer?

Ongoing support questions

What support will be available to me?

Expenses questions

Will volunteering cost me anything?
Will volunteering affect my state benefits?

Prison volunteering questions

I'm interested in the prison volunteer role, can you tell me more about the administration and preparation involved?
How long does it take to become a volunteer?
When and how often will I need to visit a prison?
I’m interested in volunteering in a prison, but my local prison isn’t appearing in the vacancy list. How can I volunteer in my local area?

If you have any further questions, get in touch at volunteering@shannontrust.org.uk

Volunteering Resources

Key Volunteering Documents

What we do

History