Covid 19 Volunteering and Information

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You will be given guidance of the volunteering role you are undertaking.

Please ensure that you volunteer within the boundaries of your role to ensure the safety of both yourself and the residents you will be volunteering with.

Inform your coordinator of any issues, this could be with residents that you engage with or issues you might have yourself.

If you are unable to carry out your volunteering for any reason, let your coordinator know as soon as possible.

Remember to keep up to date with Government Guidelines click here

 

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Ensure you follow the following guidelines for your personal safety

•  Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water at regular intervals throughout the day.
• If running water and soap is not available then ensure you have alcohol-based hand wipes or sanitiser to kill viruses that may be on your hands.
• Avoid touching your face and keep hands away from eyes, mouth and nose to avoid spread of any virus.
• If you cough, use a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately. If the cough becomes persistent then you should follow government self-isolation precautions. If no tissue is available, cough into your arm.
• Consider social distancing by maintaining at least 2 metres distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• If you feel unwell and have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and follow NHS guidance whilst avoiding any contact with people
• Do not continue to volunteer if you feel unwell – inform your coordinator as soon as possible

 

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Dos and Don’ts when using your vehicle to volunteer:

The recommendations below aim to stress the importance of safe behavior when in a vehicle.

Do’s

• Be sure that you have a valid driving license
• Follow road safety rules and regulations; respect local traffic laws and speed limits
• Check that your car is in a roadworthy condition and properly equipped before using it
• Make sure your vehicle has insurance cover, you do not have to alert you insurer that you are using your vehicle to drop of medicine or food whilst volunteering.  If you are unsure you can check

Don’ts

• Use a mobile phone or radio while driving
• Drive if you have been drinking alcohol or if you are tired, sick or on strong medication
• Leave your vehicle unlocked anywhere or at any time

 

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Lone working guidance

Due to the nature of volunteering during this crisis, there are occasions when you will be in a situation where you are working alone, sometimes in remote or isolated areas or in the evening.

There are some precautions you need to take to reduce the risks of working alone:

• Inform your coordinator and any other relevant person about your movements (where you are going, whom you are meeting) and keep them informed of last-minute changes.
• Carry a mobile phone and keep it charged.
• If you anticipate problems for any reason, discuss it with your coordinator. If they are not available, ask to speak with someone else. If no one is available, do not continue with your plans.
• Make sure that whoever you live with knows when you are due home. If you live alone, arrange to contact someone when you return home. Make sure these contacts knows where you are going, who you are meeting, has an ETA (estimated time of arrival) and knows who to contact and raise the alarm if you do not check in.
• If you find yourself in any perceived immediate danger call 999

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