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Doorstep Library
All Saints Fulham is supporting a Doorstep Library on the Fulham Court estate. A Doorstep Library is a tool to start knowing a new community, and reach out to the most disadvantaged families.
Armed with a rucksack filled with books, a mini stool and lots of enthusiasm, a team of volunteers pay weekly visits to families with pre school children to read stories to the children, more often than not on their doorstep, and lend books for the week.
Primarily, the project helps the children to become familiar with books and brings home the importance of reading. These weekly visits also allow conversations to develop with the parents. Families in greatest need of support are identified. The project can then progressively develop strategies to support the families who are the most isolated with the hope that they will acquire more confidence in building relationships and in joining other supportive activities available in the community.
It is a good tool to get to know a community and for the volunteers involved to learn how to serve it and build a community spirit.
All participants, parents, children and volunteers learn in the process, discover strengths, and find joy and inspiration in these encounters.
Since March 2007, several members of the congregation together with other Fulham residents are actively supporting the project - some visit families every week on Tuesdays, some act as reserve volunteers every four or five Tuesdays, others help with looking after the books or have helped with workshops during a Summer event.
The congregation of All Saints Fulham has contributed to the first stock of books. The Mission and Charity Commission has also allocated some funding to the project.
Where are we after 12 months in the project?
We have a strong team of volunteers who are very welcomed. So far we have established contacts with 28 families whom we visit regularly, we lend books to 44 children. We still have to get to know families in two more blocks of flats. We have organised two fun days last July and last November. Several families from varied ethnic backgrounds took part, it was a pleasure to spend such a relax time together. Volunteers have shared their skills such as singing and craft. The South Fulham Children’s Centre has seconded its librarian to help during the two fun events and has subsequently run “baby Bounce” workshops on the estate. The Centre has also donated 50 new books. Victor Ademosu, the estate community developer is very supportive and feels encouraged by our presence.
What next?
This month, we will start visiting the last two blocks and get to know seven to nine new families. We need more volunteers who can offer a couple of hours on Tuesdays - either between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm, or 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm and 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm either weekly, or twice a month. We also need two more 'reserve' volunteers once a month.
With more volunteers, we will extend our presence on the estate after school hours and reach older children. We welcome donations of new books for four to 10 year old children.