Contents
1. Purpose of Document
The purpose of this Volunteer Policy is to outline what volunteer workers with Encourage Mental Health can expect from us, and what Encourage Mental Health expects from them.
2. Encourage Mental Health Volunteers
Encourage Mental Health is a Community Interest (not-for-profit) Company whose vision is to create Christian communities where people experiencing mental health challenges are met with understanding, compassion, and appropriate support.
We do this by equipping churches and Christian organisations with practical training and resources to understand mental health, respond with confidence, and support people safely within the boundaries of their role.
A volunteer is someone who gives of their time and skills to the work of Encourage Mental Health on a non-salaried / no fee basis and is not subject to a contract.
Volunteers may assist Encourage Mental Health in different aspect of its work for variable lengths of time. Volunteers may assist with general duties as needs dictate, or specific tasks and projects.
3. Recruitment
Encourage Mental Health seeks to recruit volunteers in line with its Equal Opportunities Policy.
All potential volunteers will be required to complete an application form and will be asked for two references - one from someone who has known them well for at least two years, and the second from their church leader if relevant, or a former employer.
Volunteers must be willing to sign up to our Statement of Faith.
Depending on the role, a DBS check may be required.
4. Induction and Training
Volunteers will be given an induction, which will include:
Volunteers will have a volunteer agreement and a description of the activities and tasks they are expected to take responsibility for. The role description will also include who will be responsible for supervising and supporting them in their work with Encourage Mental Health and lines of accountability. Neither document forms a contract.
5. Expenses
Encourage Mental Health values its volunteers and wants to ensure that all volunteers are reimbursed any expenses incurred in the line of their work with us. To claim expenses, an Encourage Mental Health Volunteer Expense Form must be completed and sent to the Treasurer, with receipts.
6. Support
Volunteers are accountable to the Directors, who will oversee and review the volunteer’s work and help them to set goals. Any support needs should be discussed with Dr Cheryl Hawkins.
7. Insurance
All volunteers are covered by Encourage Mental Health’s public liability insurance policy for any work undertaken for Encourage Mental Health.
8. Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR)
All volunteers are bound by the same requirements for confidentiality as the Directors.
In complying with The General Data Protection Regulation 2018, Encourage Mental Health will treat in confidence the information it holds about volunteers. The information will be held while there is a legitimate business purpose for doing so. Volunteers have the right to request to see all the information held about them by Encourage Mental Health.
Volunteer information, such as application forms, references and any reports regarding conduct concerns, will be stored in a safe and secure location and in line with Encourage Mental Health Data Protection Policy.
If your work for Encourage Mental Health requires you to handle customer data, you must act in line with our Data Protection Policy.
9. Resolving Problems/Grievances
Encourage Mental Health will endeavour to solve any problems at the earliest possible stage. In the first instance, the volunteer should discuss any problems or grievances with the person concerned. If they are unable to resolve the problem, they will discuss the issue with the Directors.
The relationship between Encourage Mental Health and its volunteer workers is entirely voluntary and does not imply any contract. However, it is important that Encourage Mental Health can maintain its standards, and it is also important that volunteers should enjoy making their contribution to Encourage Mental Health. Therefore, all volunteers are required to comply with Encourage Mental Health’s policies and procedures and Code of Conduct.
If your work standards and conduct do not meet with Encourage Mental Health’s standards, the following steps will be taken:
If the volunteer has a grievance, they should:
10. Health & Safety
Volunteers have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their actions at work.
11. Leaving
We ask that you give us as much notice as possible if you want to stop volunteering with us.
12. Other Encourage Mental Health Policies
All volunteers are expected to abide by the following Encourage Mental Health policies: