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Books2Africa is a UK based charity in Special Consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Volunteer with Books2Africa in the historic cathedral city of Canterbury to gain work experience, develop new skills, enhance your CV, meet new people and make an impact. We have volunteering opportunities for people currently in the UK as well as those coming from abroad on a Tier 5 charity worker visa sponsored by the charity.
If you are currently residing in the UK on a visa (such as a student or spousal visa) or as a UK or EEA citizen, you can apply for any of the voluntary roles below
Logistics Officers and are responsible for checking, scanning, sorting and counting donated books at our Processing Centre in Canterbury. As part of the Logistics Team, you will be scanning/entering the barcodes/ISBN numbers of books into an online database using a computer and a barcode scanner.
Both Casual and Internship positions are voluntary and have flexible hours. However, Interns have a set target of hours to complete and also carry out additional supervisory and managerial tasks.
Essential Skills: Professionalism, dedication, a willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
Shifts: Anytime between 9am – 5pm on Mondays, Wednedays or Saturdays.
Location: The Processing Centre, Unit 2, Barton Business Park, New Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3AA.
Apply online below.
Fundraising Support Officers work with the Education Team, with a focus on identifying grant/funding opportunities, supporting the Director of Education to complete and submit grant/funding applications for Books2Africa’s strategic programmes that enhance the quality of learning and teaching for learners in Africa.
Essential Skills:
Shifts: Flexible
Location: Work from home
Apply online below.
We are delighted to work with your school, college, university or company on planning a volunteering day for your students/staff to visit our warehouse and work as Logistics Officers for the day. Adequate training and lunch is provided on the day to ensure your students/staff return more motivated than ever.
Apply online below.
We 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.
International Volunteers work primarily as Logistics Officers and are responsible for checking, scanning, sorting and counting donated books at our office in Canterbury. You will also be required to complete a range of tasks and training in project management,
administration, marketing, fundraising and community engagement with vulnerable young people and people with disabilities to maximise your experience during the duration of the programme.
Six (6) Months Programme: Payment of £3,500 required to cover your accommodation and utility bills in the UK before visa sponsorship is issued.
Twelve (12) Months Programme: Payment of £7,000 required to cover your accommodation and utility bills in the UK. 50% required before visa sponsorship is issued.
Visa rejected? A full refund of your accommodation payment will be issued within 30 days if your visa is rejected.
Essential Skills: Fluent in the English language (reading, writing and speaking), Professionalism, dedication, a willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
Shifts: 20 hours per week, 9am – 5pm on Mondays, Wednedays and Saturdays.
Location: The Processing Centre, Unit 2, Barton Business Park, New Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3AA.
Apply online below.
In July of every year, we organise trips for UK volunteers to visit and work at one of our Distribution Offices in Africa for 2 weeks. People in Africa can also volunteer locally.
When volunteering at one of our Distribution Offices in Africa, you will have the opportunity to witness first hand the impact of donated books for local students and teachers. In addition to helping attend to visitors at the distribution office, you will also be able to visit several projects (schools, universities and community libraries) and interact with the students and teachers that receive support from Books2Africa.
Fundraising Target: You must raise £1,500 by March of each year, to confirm your place on a trip to Africa in July of the same year. This covers your flight, accommodation, food, and the cost of shipping a pallet of books to your preferred distribution office.
Distribution Offices:
Signup: A minimum of 3 people must have signed up and raised their money before March for a trip to go ahead. Sign up now and receive approval to begin fundraising. Applicants must be at least 17 years old by the trip date.
Apply online below.
Volunteer Logistics Officers in Africa are responsible for checking, scanning, sorting and counting donated books at our Distribution Centres across Africa. As part of the Logistics Team, you will be attending to people who visit the office, helping them locate and select appropriate books from the books in stock.
This is an unpaid voluntary position but lunch is provided on the day.
Essential Skills: Professionalism, dedication, a willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
Distribution Offices: Please contact the distribution office you want to volunteer at directly by following the links below:
Books To Africa International is a UK registered charity (1152599)
An organisation in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) 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
A quick update about what Books2Africa is doing in response to these uncertain times caused by the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our top priority is the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and supporters. Key to this is following government recommendations closely. Thankfully no suspected cases of COVID-19 have been reported amongst our staff and volunteers. Our Processing Centre in Canterbury is still operational and well stocked with the enough books and resources to ship to Africa.
Please read our updates below on steps taken to minimise the risk to staff, volunteers and supporters.
We appreciate your understanding as the situation evolves and reassure you that we will take necessary steps to ensure your safety whilst trying to also fulfil our charitable objectives. If you need any support or advice, you can send us an email [email protected]
Thank you for your continued support and do subscribe to our coronavirus updates if you want to be remain updated.
Books2Africa UK Team
Shipping and delivering 1 million books every year
involves the following:
Processing in the UK
Freight from the UK
Clearing and haulage in Africa
Books2Africa is a UK registered charity number 1152599
