Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities

As a volunteer, you will undoubtedly just want to get on with the activities you are interested in. However, it is vital that you are aware of your RIGHTS as a volunteer, and, equally as importantly, your RESPONSIBILITIES. Please take the time to read these important notes. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Your RIGHTS as a Volunteer:

Safety 

We will take every reasonable step to ensure you are safe at all times whilst you are volunteering.

Supervision

Appropriate supervision will be provided when you are on a project so you know exactly what's going on and what you're supposed to be doing.

Support

Support and guidance will be provided to help you get the most from your project and to help you should you have any issues or problems.

Training and Equipment

Any appropriate training and equipment you need will be provided before you start.

Free!

You can claim all out-of-pocket expenses on production of receipts, be it bus fares or consumables.

Insurance

You will be insured whilst volunteering

Equality

No volunteer will be excluded on the grounds of age, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation & an open access policy will be actively encouraged. Please see the information on CRB Checks for certain restrictions.

Knowledge

You have the right to know what is expected of you at all times, either through us or through an external provider's volunteer co-ordinator. We will inform you of any legal issues, especially those relevant to your project.

To say NO

You can say no to any tasks you don’t feel comfortable with, and you will never be expected to volunteer more time than you feel able to. Also, we will take into consideration your academic and extra-curricular commitments.

Recognition

You will receive thanks and recognition for the effort you make in helping others.

Have your say

YOU can make a difference: if you don’t like the way things are run, you will have the opportunity to help change it. Your voice can be heard on a local, regional and national level!

Feedback

You have the right to give and receive feedback on any aspect of your volunteering.

Fun

You have the right to have fun! If you are not enjoying what you are doing, please get in touch with us.

Grievance Procedure

Should you ever be unhappy with a staff member, a co-ordinator or another volunteer, there are grievance procedures are in place to deal with it. These may be discussed with your project co-ordinator or a member of staff who will help you. Similarly, if YOU are considered to be inappropriate for a particular scheme or activity for any reason, you will be told!

Your Confidentiality

Your personal details will be treated as strictly confidential, in line with relevant data protection legislation.

Your RESPONSIBILITIES as a Volunteer.

Be prepared - We expect you to attend appropriate training sessions and meetings, and to assist us to arrange suitable times. If you need special items for a project that are not provided, please let us know.

Keeping Your Word

Please do the things that you have said you will. This is vital to help us maintain our standards of volunteering.

Think who you represent

Please use appropriate behaviour on and off campus when you are volunteering: you are representing MV, SCAN, your project, the university and ultimately yourself!

Respect

We expect you to respect and understand the needs and wishes of other volunteers, project co-ordinators and staff. Please support your fellow volunteers to the best of your ability.

Self Assessment

If you feel a project isn’t suitable for you, tell the co-ordinator and we’ll help you find something else.

Be Confidential

Confidentiality of information will be adhered to at all times, unless directed otherwise by your project co-ordinator.

Policy

Please stick to our/the external opportunity provider's policies at all times whilst volunteering. This is for the benefit and safety
FEEDBACK - If you can think of any ways to improve what we do, please tell us.