Supporting Volunteers
Listening to you
Talk to us – we want to know if you have any questions or comments about what we do and how we do it. All of our programmes are being continually improved based on feedback from volunteers. If you are unhappy with any part of your Conservation Volunteers experience talk to the local staff. They will listen and try to resolve the situation. If you are still unhappy or you would prefer not to involve local staff, write to the Volunteer Support Manager explaining your point of view. We have a procedure for dealing with this process, which is available in every office for you to see. The Volunteer Support Manager will look into your complaint and respond within 21 days.
Volunteer Support Manager: T.Newby, Volunteer support Manager, BTCV, 34 Market Street, Oakengates, Telford, Shropshire TF2 6OU. Telephone: 01952 613829 E-mail: T.Newby@btcv.org.uk Mobile: 07801 685987
Expenses
Conservation Volunteers wants everybody to be able to volunteer, regardless of income. If you are accepted as a volunteer on one of our programmes, you can claim for certain expenses you incur on Conservation Volunteers activities such as travel. This includes use of a car or bicycle to and from the Conservation Volunteers office or worksite. Rates for the use of car or bicycle are set centrally. We will encourage the use of public transport wherever practicable.
If, on occasion, you need to use your own vehicle for Conservation Volunteers business – including carrying tools or other volunteers, you must check that your own insurance will provide adequate cover. Ask your supervisor or line manager for a Use of Private Vehicles on Conservation Volunteers Business declaration form.
If you buy something on behalf of Conservation Volunteers out of your own money, you must first check that your manager agrees to the purchase. Your manager will explain how to claim your expenses. You will need to show a receipt for anything you have paid for.
Accommodation
Conservation Volunteers has some basic accommodation supporting volunteering activities in Belfast and the Tree Nursery in Bangor. The number of rooms is limited and priority is given to Volunteer Officers and leaders who commit to staying with the organisation for at least six months and who are unable to claim housing benefit.
How volunteering affects your Benefits
Voluntary work is accepted as contributing to employability.
If you are claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance you can volunteer for an unlimited number of hours as long as you:
- are actively looking for work
- can be contacted in the event of a job opportunity
- can attend a job interview or start a job at 48 hours notice
- are willing and able to give up or rearrange your voluntary work at any time to start a job
If you are claiming Incapacity Benefit there is no limit to the number of hours you can volunteer.
Recognised training (e.g. towards NVQs) is allowed but must comply with the normal study/training rules. Job Centre staff will want to establish exactly how many hours training you receive each week. The training must be seen to be on a part-time basis. Benefits Agency staff should allow payment of expenses associated with volunteering, including accommodation. The regulations are subject to change. Current information is available from Conservation Volunteers, including what steps to take if Job Centre staff do not seem to be complying with the national policy on volunteering.
Health and Safety
Conservation Volunteers takes its responsibilities for health and safety very seriously and through careful risk management and diligent planning aims to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all volunteers working directly under its management.
We employ some of the most robust and respected safety systems anywhere within the sector. A dedicated national team supported by regional and country representatives ensures that knowledgeable advice is always available.
Conservation Volunteers endeavours to provide all workers with the necessary skills, resources and facilities that they require to maintain a safe and healthy working environment. In return, those working for or with Conservation Volunteers are expected to take reasonable care of themselves and those around them. Conservation Volunteers asks that all of its personnel help it to achieve its Health and Safety goals by co-operating with policies, procedures and instructions.
As a volunteer with us, you are responsible for taking all reasonable steps to comply with our safe working practices and we actively encourage you to comment on our safety performance. You must inform your manager of any concerns and these will be treated seriously and investigated promptly. Only through monitoring and review can Conservation Volunteers strive to maintain high standards of health, safety and welfare.
A diverse organisation
Conservation Volunteers operates throughout Northern Ireland and should reflect the make-up of that society. The land we conserve is the responsibility of all of us, and we want everyone to have the opportunity to get involved. Conservation is positive, it makes no distinctions and knows no boundaries. As an organisation, Conservation Volunteers welcomes people from all backgrounds, whether their interest is to volunteer, participate on a training course, join our staff or make a donation. At Conservation Volunteers we feel these principles strongly. We want to be an inclusive organisation. Everyone has a responsibility to work towards Equal Opportunities. Like Health and Safety, it is not an option – it is a policy. Conservation Volunteers has been awarded the Facilitating Multi- Ethnic Volunteering Standard.
Insurance
While working with Conservation Volunteers you are insured for Public Liability and Personal Accident. Public Liability insurance covers you for claims made against you for negligence or carelessness to others, including other volunteers. Personal Accident insurance provides limited compensation, regardless of fault, to anyone who is injured while on a Conservation Volunteers project. This cover applies only while you are on the worksite. You are not covered for any accident that happens during social activities. Conservation Volunteers insurance does not cover your personal property against accidental loss or damage.
Suitable behaviour
Conservation Volunteers sets high standards of behaviour and our policies are designed to ensure that individuals feel valued and that everybody is safe.