We have set up a volunteers scheme to serve two primary needs within the communities we serve:

• to provide experience, relevant training and references for people who may have been unemployed for a long time or who may be returning to work after a career break, and
• to provide additional help to tenants who may need it.

Volunteers come from all walks of life: some volunteers are employed; some are unemployed; some are parents; some are just children themselves. Whether you are old, young, black, white, a tenant or a home-owner, there are many ways in which you can serve your community and learn new skills too.

Volunteer procedure to help elderly, disabled or vulnerable tenants

Harding encourages the involvement of volunteers to aid elderly, disabled or disadvantaged tenants to improve their quality of life.

Types of volunteer work (items in italics have yet to begin)

• Administration
• Gardening
  • community gardening
  • adopt-a-garden scheme
• Regular visiting/Befriending
• Escorting to local shops
• Wheelchair pushing
• Reading and helping with correspondence
• Driving:
  • To opticians, dentist
  • To visit relatives in hospital
  • To visit a friend, etc.
  • Dropping off at hospital for appointments
• Collecting prescriptions
• Dog walking
• Small practical jobs

We are unable to help with:

• Return journeys from hospital following hospital appointments
• Personal care e.g. bathing or dressing, administering medication etc.
• Electrical, plumbing work
• Painting and decorating
• A service that is better provided by a statutory body
• Dangerous activities: anything that puts the health or safety of the volunteer or recipient at risk
• Anything which takes away someone's job

Commitment

The nature and type of work may well determine the hours that the volunteers need to put in. However, volunteers will have a choice of the following options:

• Regular: e.g. At the same time each week
• One-off: e.g. once only
• By arrangement : e.g. as and when required

Statement of Intent

We will require all volunteers to sign a statement of intent that they are willing to sign up as a volunteer for a minimum of 6 months.

Recruitment

Upon receiving enquiries from interested members of the public we will send out an information pack and application form. The application form will request 2 referees and asking them to obtain a police check (anyone applying as a volunteer for administration or clerical duties based in the office will not require a police check).

Upon receiving the completed application, we will invite the candidate in for an informal interview and request references. The volunteer will be accepted upon receiving satisfactory references, and the police check where relevant.

Expenses

Harding Housing Association will reimburse the following expenses:

• Travel - public transport - 2nd class standard fare private car (mileage paid at standard rate for staff) motorbike (mileage paid at standard rate for staff) bicycle (mileage paid as with current guidelines from the Inland Revenue)
• Lunch - if volunteering for full day
• Refreshments will be reimbursed for manual work over three hours, or for periods of volunteering over four hours which do not include lunch. A maximum of £1 can be claimed in any 4-hour period.

Risk assessment

A risk assessment will be carried out for each job type and for any tools provided by Harding. A copy of the risk assessment will be given to the volunteer prior to commencing duties.

Health & safety

Volunteers, although not employees, are required to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of themselves, residents, employees and members of the public. In practice this means observing all safety rules, instructions, procedures and any requirements of Risk Assessments. Any hazards or situations where you believe injury or damage may occur should be reported to a Manager at the earliest practicable time.

Insurance

Whilst 'on site' all volunteers will be covered by our Employer's Liability Insurance, details of which can be found in the Personnel policies and procedures.

Induction and training

Harding will treat the volunteers as normal members of staff, as far as induction and training are concerned. Volunteers will receive induction packs and an induction session upon joining the organisation.

Training for volunteers will be offered for relevant subjects, such as Health and Safety, dealing with difficult tenants, emergency first aid, etc.

Support and supervision

It is expected that, as the number of volunteers grows, we will need to appoint a Volunteer Coordinator. Presently, all support and supervision is carried out by the supervisor of the volunteer and the Neighbourhood Participation Officer.

Location

Volunteers will be asked in which borough or in which area of a borough they would prefer to work. We will endeavour to match volunteers with the areas they request.

Access arrangements

The Head Office, at 48 Wandsworth Common Northside, is only accessible for wheelchairs on the ground floor. Training is held in the basement and this makes the premises unsuitable for anyone not able to walk up and down stairs.

To have an informal chat about volunteering, please:

E-mail: neighbourhood_participation@hardinghousing.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7735 4464 x 104.

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