Volunteering in the City of Literature

by Rebecca Raeburn
Communication Support

12 September 2019

Volunteering is a great way to connect with Edinburgh as a City of Literature, and help others to enjoy our city’s books, words and ideas.

In exchange for a bit of spare time and an interest in helping others, Edinburgh is packed full of opportunities to connect with different communities, promote reading and have an excellent time while you’re at it.

Here are some literary charities and organisations that are always looking for people like you.

The Super Power Agency

This is a charity which works with under-resourced young people, helping to improve their confidence through creative writing. They’re looking for volunteers who have time available to work with them in primary and secondary schools, supporting young writers as they take their first steps towards being published.

Edinburgh City of Literature is proud to be a founding member of this fantastic charity, which has already published a number of books of students’ work.

The Scottish Poetry Library

Perhaps poetry is your thing? The Scottish Poetry Library, nestled just off the Royal Mile, also works with volunteers. Helping with evening events, with queries and with the SPL podcasts can make a huge difference to how people are able to access one of Scotland’s fantastic literary resources and be a great addition to your CV.

Leith Library

If administration is something you’d prefer, there are often projects around Edinburgh’s libraries which benefit from volunteers. Leith Library, for example, is currently one of 10 regional hubs working to preserve audio recordings which embody a history of the local area. By helping out as a Cataloguer, typing out some of the interviews as part of Unlocking Our Sound Heritage, you’ll be helping preserve at-risk pieces of Leith’s past.

Volunteer Scotland

Feeling inspired? Volunteer Scotland has other amazing opportunities for ways to help support others – and maybe even find some inspiration for your own writing.