Spectacle Theatre Ltd volunteering policy. Introduction. Introduction

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1 Spectacle Theatre Ltd vlunteering plicy Intrductin Intrductin This plicy sets ut the brad principles fr vluntary invlvement in Spectacle Theatre Ltd. It is f relevance t all within the rganisatin, including vlunteers, staff, members, and thse elected r appinted t psitins f respnsibility. This plicy is endrsed by the Bard f Spectacle Theatre Ltd and will be reviewed annually, t ensure that it remains apprpriate t the needs f Spectacle Theatre Ltd and its vlunteers. Cmmitment Spectacle Theatre Ltd recgnises the right that peple have t participate in the life f their cmmunities thrugh vlunteering. It als acknwledges that vlunteers cntribute in many ways, that their cntributin is unique and that vlunteering can benefit users f services, staff, lcal cmmunities and the vlunteers themselves. Spectacle Theatre Ltd values the cntributin made by vlunteers and is cmmitted t invlving vlunteers in apprpriate psitins and in ways which are encuraging, supprtive and which develp vlunteering. Interlink Yur lcal cunty vluntary cuncil 4. Vlunteers 4.3 Mdel vlunteering plicy Last Updated:03/05/2013 Spectacle Theatre Ltd recgnises its respnsibility t arrange its vlunteering efficiently and sensitively s that the valuable gift f the vlunteer's time is best used t the mutual advantage f all cncerned. Definitin Vlunteering is an imprtant expressin f citizenship as well as an imprtant cmpnent f demcracy. Vlunteers are peple wh, unpaid and f their wn free will, cntribute their time, energy and skills t benefit the cmmunity.

2 Statement f values and principles Vlunteering is a legitimate and crucial activity that is supprted and encuraged by Spectacle Theatre Ltd and is nt intended t be a substitute fr paid emplyment. The rle f vlunteers cmplements but des nt replace the rle f paid staff. Apprpriate steps will be taken t ensure that paid staff are clear abut the rle f vlunteers, and t fster gd wrking relatinships between paid staff and vlunteers. Vlunteers will nt be used during times f industrial actin t d the wrk f paid staff. The vlunteer rle is a gift relatinship, binding nly in hnur, trust and mutual understanding. N enfrceable bligatin, cntractual r therwise, can be impsed n vlunteers t attend, give r be set a minimum amunt f time t carry ut the tasks invlved in their vluntary activity. Likewise the rganisatin cannt be cmpelled t prvide either regular wrk r payment r ther benefit fr any activity undertaken by the vlunteer. Althugh vlunteers ffer time freely and willingly withut binding bligatin, there is a presumptin f mutual supprt and reliability. Reciprcal expectatins are acknwledged bth f what the rganisatin expects f vlunteers and what vlunteers expect f the rganisatin. Vlunteer C-rdinatin All vlunteers will have a nminated member f staff r vlunteer t ffer guidance and advice t help the vlunteer carry ut tasks effectively. Vlunteers will be infrmed f wh t cntact t receive supprt and supervisin. Vlunteer c-rdinatin will be explicitly referred t in all relevant jb descriptins within the rganisatin. The nminated pst hlder with verall respnsibility fr the develpment f vluntary activities within the rganisatin is Steve Davis, the business develpment manager. This persn is respnsible fr the management and welfare f the rganisatin's vlunteers Last Updated:03/05/2013 Recruitment & Selectin Spectacle Theatre Ltd is cmmitted t equal pprtunities and believes that vlunteering shuld be pen t all regardless f race, gender, religin, sexual rientatin, plitical beliefs r ffending backgrund that des nt create a risk t vulnerable grups including children. The acceptance f vlunteer assistance fr a particular rle is made n merit, the sle selectin criterin being the individual's suitability t carry ut agreed tasks. Infrmatin abut the vlunteer nt relevant t the perfrmance f the vlunteering tasks cncerned will be disregarded by therganisatin in terms f recruitment and selectin. Vlunteering pprtunities will be widely prmted in ways that makes them accessible t all members f the cmmunity. Vlunteers wh are cnsidered unsuitable fr a particular task will either be ffered alternative vluntary invlvement with the rganisatin r referred t the nearest Vlunteer Centre. All vlunteers will be asked t prduce tw references and will be invited t attend an infrmal interview. If the vlunteer will be wrking with vulnerable grups (children and/r adults) there may

3 be ther safer recruitment prcedures carried ut including asking a vlunteer t underg an enhanced Disclsure and Barring Services (DBS) check. Mre detailed infrmatin will be made available specific t legislative requirements and t the particular vlunteer psitin. Vlunteers will have a clear and cncise task descriptin, which will be subsequently reviewed every six mnths. The task descriptin will be prepared in cnjunctin with the vlunteer and the designated persn referred t abve. New vlunteers will be prperly inducted int the rganisatin. Vlunteers will be prperly briefed abut the activities t be undertaken and given all the necessary infrmatin t enable them t perfrm with cnfidence. Training & Develpment All vlunteers will be made aware f and have access t all the rganisatin's relevant plicies, including thse relating t vlunteering, health & safety, safeguarding vulnerable grups and equal pprtunities. The develpment f training and supprt fr vlunteers is a high pririty fr the rganisatin in rder t equip them with the necessary infrmatin and skills t carry ut their tasks. It will be the respnsibility f the designated persn referred t abve t see that this training is prvided. It is the respnsibility f the vlunteer t attend relevant training. Last Updated:03/05/2013 Training in the management f vlunteers will be prvided fr thse staff with direct respnsibility fr same. Supprt, Supervisin and Recgnitin Vlunteers will have a named persn t whm they can take their vlunteering cncerns and seek guidance and supprt. Vlunteers will have access t regular supprt and supervisin. This will enable bth the vlunteer and the supervisr t identify, mnitr and evaluate the vlunteer's invlvement, recgnise achievements and identify individual training needs, including that relevant t their particular vlunteering rle and t their wider persnal develpment. The frequency, duratin and frmat f these sessins will be negtiated between the vlunteer and the designated fficer referred t abve. Vlunteers will be given the pprtunity, where relevant, t share their views and pinins with the rganisatin's wider staff, at staff meetings etc. A prcess will be develped in rder t give frmal recgnitin f the cntributin f the rganisatin's vlunteers (e.g. internal awards, articles in newspapers and newsletters, thank yu letters etc.) r utline any existing prcess. Expenses Spectacle Theatre Ltd recgnises that the reimbursement f expenses incurred in traveling t and frm the place f vlunteering r in the curse f vlunteering is imprtant frm an equal pprtunities pint f view. This is necessary t ensure that all individuals have access t vluntary pprtunities. The rganisatin's vlunteers are able t claim reasnable ut f pcket expenses, subject t the prductin f receipts as evidence f the expenditure. What can be reclaimed frm the rganisatin

4 and the calculatin f expenses will be explained t the vlunteer befre they start any activity likely t give rise t expenses. The rganisatin has a cnsistent apprach t the reimbursement f expenses which are the same fr vlunteers, staff, etc. and are as apprved by the Inland Revenue. It is the respnsibility f the designated persn referred t abve t make vlunteers aware f the prcedure fr the reimbursement f expenses. Last Updated:03/05/2013 Insurance The rganisatin's liability insurance plicies include the activities f vlunteers and liability twards them. The rganisatin des nt insure the vlunteer's persnal pssessins against lss r damage Cnfidentiality The rganisatin will advise the vlunteer n its cnfidentiality plicy and prcedures, where relevant. This wuld include thse relating t persnal infrmatin held by the rganisatin relating t the vlunteer. Settling Differences The rganisatin aims t treat all vlunteers fairly, bjectively and cnsistently. The rganisatin seeks t ensure that vlunteers' views are heard, nted and acted upn prmptly and aim fr a psitive and amicable slutin based n the rganisatin's guidelines fr settling differences. The designated fficer referred t abve is respnsible fr handling prblems regarding vlunteer cmplaints r cnduct and these shuld be referred t him/her. In the event f a prblem, all relevant facts shuld be btained as quickly as pssible. Supprt will be prvided by the rganisatin t the vlunteer while it endeavurs t reslve the prblem in an infrmal manner. If an infrmal reslutin prves impssible, the rganisatin's wider disciplinary, grievance r cmplaints plicies and prcedures (which include vlunteers) will be referred t. Rights and Respnsibilities The rganisatin recgnises the rights f vlunteers t: knw what is (and what is nt) expected f them Have adequate supprt in their vlunteering Receive appreciatin Have safe wrking cnditins Be insured Knw their rights and respnsibilities if smething ges wrng Receive relevant ut-f-pcket expenses Receive apprpriate training be free frm discriminatin be ffered the pprtunity fr persnal develpment Last Updated: 03/05/2013 The rganisatin expects vlunteers t:

5 be reliable be hnest respect cnfidentiality make the mst f training and supprt pprtunities carry ut tasks in a way that reflects the aims and values f the rganisatin wrk within agreed guidelines respect the wrk f the rganisatin and nt bring it int disrepute cmply with the rganisatin's plicies Further infrmatin WCVA Lcal Vlunteer Centre