Lighthouse | Volunteer Call Out: Radical Book Fair 2026

Are YOU excited about the Radical Book Fair? Do you want to get involved behind the scenes? We need YOU!

The Radical Book Fair (5-8th November) is next month and we need some extra hands to help make it extra special!

RBF volunteering is not terribly glamorous, and the Roxy can be pretty drafty, but there will be ample opportunities to talk about books and politics, see and speak to visiting authors, and ultimately be an integral part of a community event for like-minded folk!

Please note, that because of limited staff capacity for supervision & guidance, we are not able to take on any volunteers under the age of 18 this year.

Read on to find out what's involved, when we need you, what we can offer and how to apply!

First things first – what's involved?

The kinds of jobs you’d be doing at the fair are:

welcoming people to the fair, checking tickets for events
welcoming speakers and showing them around the venue
prepping the stage & signing tables for events
rearranging chairs/seating areas between events
running the odd errand to the bookshop (round the corner from the Roxy)
being on hand to answer questions from visitors about the venue, the program etc
taking pictures for social media posts
encouraging people to take part in events/stalls either by chatting to browsers or flyering on the main road
attending the snug space downstairs (where workshops/tea & coffee station will be)
tidying up/reorganising the tables of books and finding event stock
serving up food at the community meal Sunday
helping with set-up and pack-up (Thursday morning and Sunday evening) – involves some heavy lifting, and is one of the most crucial roles at the fair!

Volunteer shifts!

Because of limited resources for training, we will be taking on volunteers who are able to commit to at least two shifts across different days of the fair and a Zoom training session on the weekend before the fair, with the exception of anyone who can only do a set-up/pack-up shift. This is so that we can get you properly trained up and you can feel comfortable and useful in the space.

Thursday 5 November:

8am–12pm – setting up the fair – involves heavy lifting! (if you can only do this shift, please still fill out the form, we need as many hands as possible at this time)
12pm–4:30pm
4:30pm–9pm

Friday 6 November:

11am–4pm
4pm–9pm

Saturday 7 November:

10am–3pm
3pm–8pm

Sunday 8 November:

10am–3pm
3pm–8pm
5:30pm–9pm – packing up the fair – involves heavy lifting! (if you can only do this shift, please still fill out the form, we need as many hands as possible at this time)

* If you can't do several shifts, you can still help us with these things:

Help with set up and/or pack up – we need as much help as possible at these times!
Distributing flyers ahead of the fair
Sharing events on social media
Telling your pals, encouraging people to come along – word of mouth works!

And of course coming along yourself as a browser/reader/attendee!

What we can offer

While we are thrilled and grateful to be receiving a little financial support from grassroots orgs supporting individual panel costs, the Radical Book Fair continues to be entirely bookshop run, without any grant funding. This is why we operate on a shoestring and need the extra help to deliver our big book fair!

We offer volunteers a 35% discount on all books through to the end of the year, as many ‘proof’ books as you like/can carry and a Lighthouse tote bag of your choice! Snacks and refreshments are also on offer throughout the weekend.

For those who can do at least three shifts (4+hrs) we also offer a £30 stipend to cover travel costs & food. It’s not much, but it comes with a side of our eternal gratitude!! Past volunteers have become a part of our extended bookshop family and fed back that the whole experience is really rewarding!

Some other important things to note

Please be aware that masks are required for volunteers at all times inside the venue (unless medically exempt)
No one should attend the fair if showing any signs of illness – contacts will be provided so you can stay in touch and let us know if you can’t attend your shift
The venue is big and drafty, so dress warm & move lots!
Last, but definitely not least (!!) we ask all our volunteers to read our Safe Spaces policy and commit to its standards of behaviour : https://lighthousebookshop.com/contact-faq#6 If you have any questions about it, just ask.

Does this sound like something you'd like to do? HERE'S HOW TO APPLY

If you're keen, please complete the form below by midday (12pm) on Monday 19 October:

Radical Book Fair 2026 - Volunteer Application – Fill in form

If you have any questions, please email us (Mairi and Emma) at rbf@lighthousebookshop.com