Project Officer, Literacy Champions (London)

Project Officer, Literacy Champions (London)
£26,000 per year
Full-time, 35 hours per week
Fixed term until end of March 2027
Based in London SW8 / home and flexible working

We empower people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Together, we're helping people change their stories. You could join us to help mobilise thousands of local volunteers in support of 2026 National Year of Reading.

What you’ll be doing

2026 will be a National Year of Reading, a once-in-a-generation, UK-wide campaign to engage new audiences in reading and change the national reading culture for good. The National Literacy Trust will lead, develop and coordinate the National Year of Reading, ensuring a powerful and engaging national campaign which redefines reading for a new generation.

A core part of our plans is to mobilise thousands of volunteers across the country, including through our own Literacy Champions project, which identifies, trains and supports volunteers to promote literacy in their local area. This may be in person or online and includes everything from community book-swaps and reading corners, to setting up homework clubs and creating videos.

You will coordinate this work across London, identifying and engaging organisations and volunteer groups, and providing training and support so they can become Literacy Champions. You will also work with first-time volunteers who sign up to support the National Year of Reading.

This is an opportunity to build a new network of volunteers from the ground up. You will work alongside our existing local teams based in your region, and with the support of our central volunteering team, and be part of a network of colleagues doing a similar role in each of the nine English regions.

You will be based in London, working from home with regular travel locally, as well as national travel when necessary. This will include coming to London three times per year for our regular staff days, as well as induction, and three team days per year that take place in other locations. You will be contracted to our London office, at 68 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1RL, and responsible for covering the cost of your travel to London. Other travel expenses from London to national locations will be covered by our expenses policy.

What we’re looking for

You will be experienced in recruiting, training and supporting volunteers, and providing project support in a charity or educational context. You will also have experience of working with early years settings, schools or community organisations, and good knowledge of safeguarding practice in this context.

Experience of community mobilisation, and developing resources and training materials, would be an advantage, as would excellent knowledge of literacy issues.

You will need to live in the London region, and have an excellent understanding of its communities and families. Due to the nature of delivery, you will need a full clean driving licence and access to your own vehicle. Please note, this role will involve managing book stocks and other resources.

Why our work is so vital

Literacy changes everything.

It gives you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. It’s the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. It’s better results at school, and better jobs. If children grow up without the tools to communicate, without books to read or opportunities to write, it’s harder to get where you want to go.

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity helping people overcome these challenges and change their life chances through the power of words – reading, writing, speaking and listening. From first words, through school days to training, jobs and beyond.

- We work collaboratively in local communities, focusing our work in 20 areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges.
- We support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children.
- We campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and decision-makers.
- We support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system and young offenders’ institutions to build their literacy skills.

What we offer you

Our team are passionate about our mission and we have a strong and positive working culture, based on shared values and respect. We offer a range of flexible working options and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to our success, whoever you are.

As well as a competitive salary, we offer benefits including a generous leave allowance totalling 39 days (including bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year), pension contributions of 8% of annual salary, a cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme and other health and wellbeing benefits.

We support flexible working and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to our success, whoever you are.

Application details

Our people are our most important asset and we value and respect diversity in all its forms (seen and unseen). We particularly welcome applications from those from Black and Asian backgrounds, as well as candidates with disabilities and from the communities in which we work. We would like to increase representation of these groups among our staff as we know greater diversity will lead to an even greater impact for our work.

To apply, visit our website.

Closing date: 10am, Friday 5 September 2025.

Please note we do not accept CVs. No agencies or recruitment sites. Registered charity no. 1116260 (England and Wales) and SC042944 (Scotland).