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Volunteer

Annabelle's Challenge Volunteer Policy

Introduction
Volunteering is the commitment of time and energy for the benefit of society and the community: the environment of individuals outside one’s immediate family. It is undertaken freely and by choice without concern for financial gain.

Annabelle’s Challenge believes in the value of voluntary activity as an important expression of citizenship and an essential component of a free and democratic society. It supports and promotes volunteering in public and third sector organisations. Annabelle’s Challenge takes responsibility for ensuring that volunteers within its own organisation are appropriately involved, valued for their contribution and respected as colleagues.

In adopting this volunteer policy Annabelle’s Challenge wishes to:

• Formally acknowledge and support the role of volunteers in its work

• Set out the principles governing the involvement of volunteers and provide a set of guidelines to ensure good practice in working with volunteers

• Encourage and enable, rather than restrict, the involvement of volunteers.

This volunteer policy and accompanying guidelines are intended for use by Annabelle’s Challenge paid staff and volunteers.

Volunteer Policy Statement

Annabelle’s Challenge Equal Opportunities
• As an employer and engager of volunteers Annabelle’s Challenge is committed to a policy of equal opportunities. This principle will apply to service delivery, recruitment, promotion, training, facilities, procedures and all terms and conditions.

• Volunteers will be expected to adhere to Annabelle’s Challenge Equal Opportunities Policy, a copy of which can be found within the Annabelle’s Challenge website. 

Recruitment & Selection
• Recruitment of volunteers will be from all sections of the community, and will be in line with Annabelle’s Challenge Equal Opportunities Policy. Appropriate targeting may be used.

Information & Training
• Volunteers will receive full information about their chosen area of work and will be given a clear idea of their responsibilities to Annabelle’s Challenge.

• Volunteers will be given induction and training in the specific tasks to be undertaken.

• Volunteers will be consulted in decisions which affect them.

Support & Supervision
• Volunteers will be assigned a named contact person for supervision and support.

Problem-Solving
• Annabelle’s Challenge recognises that problems do arise and we aim to identify and resolve these problems at the earliest stage. Volunteers who have a problem of any kind should discuss it in the first instance with their named contact person. 

Confidentiality
• Volunteers will be bound by the same confidentiality conditions as Annabelle’s Challenge paid staff.
 
Expenses & Insurance
• All agreed out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed on production of receipts and completed expense claim form. Reimbursement will be paid directly into the volunteers bank account.

• Volunteers will be adequately covered by insurance while carrying out agreed duties.

Health and Safety
• All volunteers are covered by the same health and safety policies and provisions as staff.

Relations with Paid Staff
• Annabelle’s Challenge is committed to ensuring that volunteers work complements the work of paid staff, and that it will not be used as a substitute for paid work.

• Steps will be taken to ensure that staff at all levels are clear about the roles of volunteers and to foster good working relationships between staff and volunteers.

• Annabelle’s Challenge recognises the need for training for all those working alongside and managing volunteers.

Costs
• Annabelle’s Challenge will endeavour to identify and cover the costs of involving volunteers and recognises the value of designated responsibilities within specific posts for the management of volunteers.

References
• On the basis of their voluntary work, volunteers will have the right to request a reference.

Monitoring & Evaluation
• Annabelle’s Challenge will systemically monitor and evaluate its involvement of volunteers with reference to this Volunteer Policy.

Complaints
• The complaints procedure is detailed on the Annabelle’s Challenge website and a copy is available from the office. 

Note
• “Staff” refers to paid staff and those undertaking placements with Annabelle’s Challenge.
• This document refers to other policies which are available on the Annabelle’s Challenge website and at the office.

Induction
• We will provide new volunteers an induction session which will cover: 
- Role of volunteers
- Responsibilities of volunteers
- Arrangements for training, support and supervision
- Contact person
- Need for confidentiality
- Ethos/values, etc
- System for payment of expenses
- Problem-solving procedures
- Background to Annabelle’s Challenge & Vascular EDS
- Health and Safety
- Meeting staff

• During induction, volunteers should receive the Annabelle’s Challenge VEDS Information Pack.

Expectations of Volunteers
• Annabelle’s Challenge expects volunteers to:
- Participate in induction sessions
- Comply with existing policies and procedures
- Undertake voluntary work at agreed times
- Inform relevant staff if unable to attend
- Give some notice if unable to continue volunteering 
- Raise any issues of concern relating to their voluntary work with the contact person
- Agree with the aims and ethos of the organisation

Placement
• Once a suitable voluntary placement has been identified, details about the frequency and length of commitment and nature of the voluntary activity should be determined and an established trial period agreed.

• Annabelle’s Challenge reserves the right to ask volunteers to leave and will give reasons in writing if requested.

Support, Supervision and Problem-Solving
• Regular support/supervision is available to each volunteer. The type and level of support will depend on the needs of the volunteer and the nature of their role. Full information on this will be provided during induction.

• Each volunteer will have a clearly identified supervisor (usually one of our Patient Coordinators) who is responsible for the day to day management and guidance of the volunteer and who will be able to offer advice, support and feedback on a regular basis.

Review Date: January 2026
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