Books2Africa is a UK registered charity (1152599) and a charity in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Founded in 2012 by four African students at the University of Kent in Canterbury, the charity has grown from a student society to an internationally recognised non-governmental organisation that continues to impact the UK and Africa from the cathedral city of Canterbury. We have volunteering opportunities for people in the UK or International Volunteers looking to come here on a Tier 5 charity worker visa.
Books2Africa’s Processing Centre in Canterbury is a safe and welcoming environment with a diverse and vibrant group of people working together to achieve our charitable objectives in a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you are looking to gain work experience or looking to give back after retiring, we have a variety of tasks that are suitable for you. All our managers and supervisors are friendly and available to offer you the training and support needed to get started.
Watch Lindsy explain why she volunteers with Books2Africa.
Watch team members explain what they do at our Processing Centre in Canterbury
In addition to completing our COVID-19 Risk Assessment and putting in place measures to ensure safe working, at Books2Africa, our volunteers are engaged and supported through various measures tailored towards minimising cost on their part and maximising productivity.
Free Lunch
Volunteers can order lunch from their favourite restaurants via our Deliveroo App during their shifts at the Canterbury office (max £10).
Free Transport
Volunteers can order an Uber ride on us when travelling for their shifts or claim back expenses when using public transport (max £10).
Free Training
Volunteers undergo a variety of trainings to get started including; induction training, safe manual handling, inventory management and more.
Volunteering Hours
Volunteers use our Sign In App to sign in and out during their shift, ensuring all their volunteering hours are accurately accounted for every month.
Networking
Volunteers use our Slack App to collaborate with other team members remotely, signing up for shifts and taking part in team activities.
Certificate
Volunteers receive a certificate after completing a minimum of 200 volunteering hours and can request a reference letter if required.
If you are currently residing in the UK as a UK citizen or on a visa (such as a student or spousal visa) you can apply for the following volunteering roles:
Processing Support Officers are required to join the Processing Team at our Processing Centre in Canterbury. You can volunteer on your own or as part of a group with your friends/colleagues.
Fundraising Support Officers are required to join the Fundraising Team, working remotely as part of our Volunteer Fundraising Committee.
Tech Support Officers are required to join the Tech Refurbishing Team at our Processing Centre in Canterbury.
If you are currently residing outside the UK and are not a UK citizen, Books2Africa can sponsor your Tier 5 Charity Worker visa to volunteer with us in the UK on our International Volunteering Programme (IVP) for 6 months or 1 year.
Our International Volunteering Programme (IVP) allows you to gain first-hand experience in the practical operations of an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and provides you the opportunity to develop transferable skills such as teamwork, fundraising and communication.
Interns on our International Volunteers Programme work primarily at our Processing Centre in Canterbury, in various support roles as Support Officers and are involved in a variety of tasks including but not limited to; processing (cataloguing, sorting and packing donated materials), charity shop sales (valuing and listing donated materials for sale), tech refurbishing, marketing, fundraising. You will also be required to complete a range of tasks and training in project management and community engagement to maximise your experience during the duration of the programme.
We currently have volunteering opportunities at our Distribution Centres across Africa. Contact the centre directly by going to our Africa Offices page.
Books To Africa International is a UK registered charity (1152599)
An organisation in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 2017.
Unit 2, Barton Business Park, Canterbury, CT1 3AA.
We do not store credit card details nor do we share financial details with any third parties.
© Books2Africa – All rights reserved
Shipping and delivering 1 million books every year
involves the following:
Books2Africa is a UK registered charity number 1152599