Involving volunteers in your organisation
This guidance aims to help organisations and groups understand how to safely and effectively involve volunteers.
This guidance is for people who run volunteer-involving organisations or groups, or manage volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering yourself, or are already volunteering, read guidance on Volunteering opportunities, rights and expenses.
Ensuring volunteers and their workplaces are safer
Organisations and groups
Organisations and groups have a duty of care to volunteers to ensure that, as far as reasonably practicable, they are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
Organisations and groups should assess the risks around volunteering roles and activities and take steps to keep volunteers safe. Read the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on how to assess risks.
Guidance for organisations on COVID-19 and volunteers can be found in Reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace
People who were previously identified as clinically extremely vulnerable
People who were previously identified as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) are advised to continue to follow the guidance in Living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19.
They can also review Guidance for people previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19, which includes extra precautions they may wish to take.
People whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19
People whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 should read COVID-19: guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk.
Individuals should consider advice from their health professional on whether additional precautions are right for them.
Travelling to volunteer or while volunteering
People wishing to travel into another nation in the UK to volunteer need to check the restrictions of that nation before doing so. Read guidance on coronavirus restrictions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
People who are travelling internationally to volunteer should check:
- guidance on international travel
- if the country you’re going to is accepting travellers and / or volunteers
- the rules you must follow when you return to England
Vaccination as a condition of deployment in health and social care settings
Since 15 March, the government has revoked the requirements that CQC-registered persons only permit those who are vaccinated against COVID-19, unless otherwise exempt, to be deployed for the provision of a CQC-regulated activity in health and/or social care, and to enter CQC registered care home premises.
Safeguarding volunteers
Your organisation or group should think carefully about how it safeguards its volunteers and everyone who comes into contact with them. Volunteers should be recognised throughout your organisation or group’s safeguarding policies. Safeguarding should also be considered throughout your policies relating to volunteers.
Read information on the Disclosure and Barring Service, including guidance on eligibility and how to apply.
You can also read guidance on:
- safeguarding volunteers in volunteer-involving organisations
- safeguarding for volunteer managers
- safeguarding children and vulnerable adults during coronavirus
- guidance on handling safeguarding allegations in a charity
If you run a mutual aid group or community group you can read:
Insurance and volunteers
You should carefully consider which type of insurance cover you need to protect your volunteers and your organisation or group. Read NCVO guidance on insurance and volunteers.
Volunteer drivers who are helping those in need may need to inform their insurance company. Read guidance on insurance for volunteer drivers from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Volunteers who claim benefits
People who receive benefits can volunteer while receiving their benefits, as long as they continue to meet all the conditions of the benefit they get. Read guidance on volunteering and claiming benefits.
Involving volunteers in mutual aid groups and community support groups
If you run a mutual aid or community support group, or are interested in setting one up, you can read:
- guidance for local mutual aid groups
- planning the coordination of spontaneous volunteers
- safeguarding guidance for mutual aid groups
- safeguarding guidance for informal volunteer-led groups
- advice on what volunteer-led community groups need to consider about data protection
Information about volunteering opportunities
Further information is available on a number of volunteering roles including:
- volunteer as a coastguard
- becoming a magistrate
- becoming a school governor
- volunteering to check standards in prisons
Advice is available on searching for volunteering opportunities and guidance on volunteer rights and expenses.
Local information and resources
Organisations and groups can find local information and resources on involving volunteers by contacting their local volunteer centre.