Volunteering Policy
September 2021
Let me start by extending a big thank you from The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust team for your offer to volunteer.
Our volunteers can make an incredible difference to the lives of people affected by Aortic Dissection. Their contribution across the UK is vast, and their positive involvement is essential in enabling us to meet our strategic aims and objectives across the UK. This policy aims to provide a framework for working with Volunteers that supports the aims of The Aortic Charitable Trust (TADCT).
Policy Principles
1.1 A volunteer is anyone who, without compensation or expectation of compensation beyond reimbursement of out of pocket expenses, performs a role at the direction of and on behalf of TADCT.
1.2 All volunteers are encouraged to assist in the creation of meaningful and productive opportunities for volunteers, and to assist in the recruitment and support of volunteers.
1.3 Volunteers may be involved in all appropriate programmes and activities and at all levels of skill and decision making.
1.4 A volunteer must be appropriately acknowledged or elected prior to performance of the role, receiving either a general request to act with the trust or a specific request, depending on the nature of the role and the Financial or External impact of the activity.
1.5 Volunteers shall not be considered as employees of TADCT.
1.6 A volunteer’s involvement is at the sole discretion of TADCT.
1.7 Our staff and volunteers are all responsible for contributing to an inclusive environment by valuing and respecting each other and must adhere to our Equal Opportunities and Inclusion Policy.
1.8 We may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the individual volunteering relationship with us, for example, due to failure to complete a disclosure check or satisfactorily complete training. The process for deciding that someone who can no longer volunteer in a particular role will be fair and transparent.
1.9 A volunteer may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to stop volunteering. Notice of such a decision should be communicated as soon as possible to the relevant person.
Why we involve volunteers
2.1 Involving volunteers enables us to work more effectively with, and on behalf of people with and affected by Aortic Dissection. Without the contribution of volunteers, we would only be able to achieve a small percentage of what we do.
2.2 Volunteers, in all their diversity, bring to our work a value which adds to our understanding of and response to the needs of people affected by Aortic Dissection.
2.3 Where volunteers are also people with or affected by Aortic Dissection, they bring insight and expertise from the perspective of someone living with or affected by Aortic Dissection.
2.4 The development and support of vibrant local networks, and individuals within them, is vital to creating a strong community and in supporting independent lives for people with and affected by Aortic Dissection.
2.5 Volunteers bring a different perspective to TADCT, their ideas and input add value to the work of TADCT and are appreciated by the Trustees.
2.6 People affected by Aortic Dissection value the involvement of volunteers.
Our commitment to our volunteers
3.1 We aim to ensure that volunteers find their volunteering engaging and rewarding, are recognised for what they do, and can clearly see the difference their volunteering has on the lives of people with and affected by Aortic Dissection.
3.2 We will ensure that all volunteers are given appropriate training, guidance and support to help them comply with any legal responsibilities, enable them to perform their role and ensure they keep themselves and others safe.
3.3 We will support people with or affected by Aortic Dissection in volunteering for us, building on their strengths and assets, whilst recognising the challenges of living with Aortic Dissection and its effects.
3.4 We will ensure that all involved with TADCT are aware of the role of volunteers and that good working relationships are fostered between them.
3.5 Our volunteers will have a clear role description outlining what the role involves, any skills or experience required and our mutual commitments.
3.6 Our volunteering policies and processes, including what to do when things go wrong, will meet best practice criteria and be available to our volunteers.
3.7 We will ensure that we use effective channels of communication to reach our volunteers with key updates and information and listen to volunteers.
3.8 Volunteers will be reimbursed in a timely manner for any previously agreed and reasonable expenses that they incur as a result of their volunteering, in line with our expenses policy.
3.9 We will regularly seek feedback from our volunteers and respond to what our volunteers say.
Our volunteers’ commitment to us
4.1 Our volunteers agree to:
- Complete any required selection process, including disclosure checks if required.
- Perform their volunteer role to the best of their abilities and respect the boundaries of that role.
- Abide by our Code of Conduct, and remain committed to our values, aims, policies and goals and be a positive ambassador for us.
- Value to contribution of others and the differences between us. Complete the necessary learning for their role.
- Stay connected and up to date. Share successes, learning and ideas.
Conflicts of interest
5.1 All our volunteers are bound by our Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interests policy.
5.2 Any conflicts of interest, whether personal, financial or philosophical should be declared and managed. A volunteer may be required to stand down from a role and/or activity if there is a conflict of interest. For example, a member of a support grants sub-committee that is assessing an application for a family member.
Support for involving volunteers
6.1 The Trustees will be available to provide support and advice on planning for effective volunteer involvement, assisting staff and volunteers in developing suitable and appropriate volunteer roles and ensuring that appropriate induction, learning and development and support and recognition are in place.
6.2 The Trustees can be contacted for advice and guidance on the operational use of this policy and other policies and guidance which involve volunteers.
Other relevant policies
