Library service
I really look forward to the times when the St John Ambulance volunteer comes round with the book trolley, they really make my day.
Library service user
Devon
The St John Ambulance Library service has a
philosophy to provide reading material and
friendship to those who are resident in hospital
or residential homes – and has been going since 1914.
The service provides an opportunity for
isolated or lonely people to chat with trained volunteers with
highly developed listening skills. The aim of the scheme library is
to provide friendship to help reduce loneliness and
feelings of isolation through regular
visits from a volunteer who encourage residents to talk
and interact.
Whilst the books are important, feedback from
residents is that they really value the opportunity to
socialise with volunteers – for many, these are
the only visitors they may receive.
Seven counties in the South West of
England work as a partnership with over 250 volunteers who
regularly deliver books and meet with residents in 70 hospitals and
residential homes. Over 40,000 titles are available for loan either
in written or audio format.
The library service is provided in:
- Avon
- Buckinghamshire
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Dorset
- Gloucestershire
- Guernsey
- Humberside
- Norfolk
- Northumbria
- Somerset
- Wiltshire.
We are always looking for more library volunteers, so if you have some spare
time, enjoy the company of people and are interested in becoming a
volunteer please contact Ken Griffiths, Library Service Manager on
01392 822642 or e-mail him.