No, you don’t. Although we refer to our workshop volunteers as ‘tutors’, we welcome people from all professional backgrounds.

No experience or qualifications are necessary. We work with volunteers who are encouraging, supportive, enthusiastic, good listeners, adaptive and reliable enough to support the young people we work with.

Our volunteer tutors play a crucial role in helping Story Factory deliver workshops with a focus on storytelling and expression.

Led by trained educators (Storytellers) and supported by our volunteer tutors, these workshops empower students to find their voice and create their very own unique pieces of work. As a volunteer tutor, you will provide support and encouragement to students, working in groups under the supervision of a Storyteller.

You can find more details about the workshop volunteer role in our position description here.  

We work with young people aged 7 – 17 from under-resourced communities. We help students that are:

• From low socio-economic backgrounds
• From Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
• New migrants and refugees
• Facing mental or physical health challenges
• Subject to difficult family circumstances.

The students we work with come from all walks of life, and our aim is to create a safe environment for them. We approach each student with respect, kindness and understanding.

We have three workshop options with varying time commitments available to volunteers.

1. In-school workshops (Term Long): We require volunteers to attend a workshop on at least one day per week, for the duration of a school term (usually 7 – 9 weeks). This involves approximately 2 – 4 hours each week on the same day and time, making it ideal for volunteers who can free up a set time and day in their schedule.

These workshops run in-schools from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30am – 3:30pm.

2. In-school workshops (One-Offs): We also offer one-off workshop opportunities to volunteers who require some flexibility. These workshops run on an ad hoc basis throughout the year, including during school term and school holidays. Each workshop lasts for approximately 2-4 hours, and takes place at various times between the hours of 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Volunteers can sign up for as many one-off workshops as they like. Volunteers signing up to term-long workshops are also welcome to sign up for one-off workshops.

3. Online workshops (Term Long): We require volunteers to attend a workshop on at least one day per week, for the duration of a school term (usually 7 – 9 weeks). Unlike volunteering in-person, this involves approximately 2.5 hours each week on the same day and time, making it ideal for volunteers who can free up a set time and day in their schedule.

Online workshops are usually scheduled from 3:00pm to 5:30pm, Monday to Thursday.

1. In-school workshops: We primarily work with schools and community groups in the Greater Western Sydney region, as well as in our Story Factory Hubs located in Parramatta and Redfern.

To maintain consistency for students, ongoing or returning volunteers are given first preference in choosing their schools.

2. Online workshops: These are conducted via Zoom. We require volunteers to have access to either a laptop or computer with a camera to participate.

For volunteers who would like to do more, or aren’t able to assist with in-school or online workshops, we offer ad hoc opportunities at our Story Factory hubs in Redfern and Parramatta.

Behind-the-scenes volunteers (ad hoc in-person): We have opportunities for volunteers to help with typing up student work, preparing workshop resources, assisting with the publication process and more.

Behind-the-scenes volunteers (remote): We have opportunities for volunteers to help remotely by typing up student work, entering feedback from student and teacher evaluations, transcribing recordings and more.

Please note that we still require remote volunteers to hold a valid NSW Working with Children Check.

You can find more details about the Behind the Scenes volunteer role in our position description here.  

To become a volunteer, you will need to:

1. Hit the Sign Up button and complete an application form

2. Attend an in-person or online training session

3. Submit all required paperwork