VOLUNTEER POLICY

Introduction

The Flourish Group CIC designs for social good and promotes creativity in local communities.
We do this in three ways:

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• By designing and creating inspirational interiors in public and community spaces.

• By delivering creative workshops within the community.

• By providing art resources through our flourish-banks which make art and craft materials accessible to all.

Flourish is committed to providing rewarding and enriching volunteering opportunities and recognises the significant impact that involving volunteers has, including:

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• Helping to deliver the Flourish vision and mission.

• Sharing fresh approaches and perspectives that reflect society's diversity of views, knowledge, and experience.

• Bringing credibility to Flourish – volunteers giving their time endorse that its work is of value.

• Acting as ambassadors for Flourish.

• Undertaking tasks that add value to many aspects of the Flourish’s work.

We aim to offer a range of volunteering opportunities and, per our equal opportunities and diversity policies, try to ensure that the opportunity to volunteer is widely available.

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Volunteer Charter

What you can expect from us:

• Support to guide you and act as a regular point of contact

• A role and tasks that are meaningful for you and of benefit Flourish

• A full induction and training necessary for your role

• Safe conditions to volunteer in Insurance cover

• To be kept informed of changes and developments that affect your role as a volunteer

• On submission of receipts, reimbursement of agreed out-of-pocket expenses incurred whilst volunteering

• Recognition and appreciation of your contribution

In return, we ask that you:

• Perform your volunteer role to the best of your ability

• Support us to achieve the Flourish’s aims and objectives

• Be reliable, meeting mutually agreed time commitments, or providing reasonable notice when this is not possible

• Follow Flourish’s policies, procedures and codes of practice for health and safety, security and confidentiality

• Attend and use appropriate training for your role

• Treat Flourish staff, volunteers, guests and visitors with courtesy and respect

• Keep us informed of any problems during your time with us

• Let us know when you wish to leave

Status of Volunteers

Volunteers complement the work of paid employees; volunteers are not a substitute for staff, and Flourish does not recruit volunteers to replace them. Within the arrangement between Flourish and a volunteer, there is no intention to create the relationship of an employer and employee nor to confer employee status upon a volunteer.

We will agree on a role with the volunteer, and there will be an expectation that the volunteer will meet the role's requirements and that we will provide work for the volunteer. However, the volunteer can refuse to fulfil the role, and we are not bound to provide the work.

There is an expectation that both Flourish and the volunteer will give as much notice as possible if they cannot meet these expectations.

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Volunteering Roles

Flourish is committed to providing rewarding and meaningful volunteering opportunities and aims to place volunteers in roles compatible with their interests, skills and availability where possible.

The supervisor will clearly define a role description.

Recruitment

Flourish is committed to following fair and open recruitment and selection procedures to involve volunteers per our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policy.

We recruit volunteers to support our work in the community. Volunteering opportunities will be emailed to anyone who signs up to be a volunteer and placements offered on a first come, first served basis

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Expenses

It is Flourish policy to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses for travel (return journeys from home to the volunteering location) where receipts are provided, up to a maximum amount. Any other out-of- pocket expenses will be agreed in advance, e.g., refreshments.

Training

Flourish is committed to thoroughly preparing its volunteers for their roles by providing appropriate induction, training, and supervision. The supervisor provides a role-specific induction for all roles and organises access to relevant training and development opportunities as required.

Health and Safety

Flourish has a responsibility for the health and safety of volunteers. Volunteers should always follow our health and safety policies and procedures. Volunteers must take care of themselves and others who might be affected by their actions. Volunteers should only act in their authorised work area and report all accidents to their supervisor.

We will provide volunteers with appropriate guidance on any health and safety issues.

Policies and Procedures

We expect volunteers to comply with Flourish's policies and procedures while undertaking any volunteering duties. The volunteer induction will include an overview of these policies and procedures.

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Insurance

Flourish insurance covers volunteers who have suffered personal injury and provides public liability insurance. The insurance will not cover unauthorised actions or actions outside the volunteering agreement.

Confidentiality

Volunteers may become aware of confidential information Flourish, our representatives, and our stakeholders. Volunteers should not disclose this information or use it for their own or another's benefit without the consent of the party concerned. Disclosure is possible once the information is in the public domain (unless made public because the volunteer breached confidentiality) or where the law permits or requires disclosure.

Supervision

A supervisor supports and oversees the work of the volunteer. The volunteer should raise any queries with their supervisor.

Data Protection

We process personal data collected for our volunteers per our data protection policies.

Equality and Access

Flourish is committed to upholding the principles of equality, diversity, and equal opportunity in all its volunteering activities and management. We aim to ensure volunteering opportunities are as accessible as possible and that individuals are selected and treated solely based on their relevant aptitudes, skills, abilities, and suitability for the role. Flourish is committed to developing a diverse volunteer team, and where required, Flourish will make reasonable adjustments to volunteer roles where possible.

Work experience

While volunteering helps people gain workplace experience, Flourish distinguishes between volunteering and work experience. Work experience is a short-term opportunity, which we offer occasionally upon written application and a suitable opportunity being available.

Copyright

All written material, whether held on paper, electronically or magnetically, made or acquired by a volunteer whilst volunteering, is the property and copyright of the Flourish. Volunteers must sign an agreement to this effect where appropriate.

Dealing with Problems

The supervisor will typically try to solve problems informally, but the formal complaints system will apply if this is impossible.

If the volunteer wishes to make a formal complaint, they should submit it in writing to their supervisor. If it is impossible to reach a solution, the volunteer may raise the matter with the directors of Flourish – Fran Lee or Elana Friedman.

In the case of a complaint about a volunteer, the supervisor will notify the volunteer and decide on any action. If the volunteer is dissatisfied with the decision, they may raise it with the supervisor's manager.

Flourish Volunteer Pack

On joining, the volunteer receives a pack containing the following:

• General information about Flourish

• A copy of this volunteer policy

• A volunteer GDPR Privacy Notice

• Details of where they can access our policies and procedures

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We reserve the right to amend or withdraw this policy at any time.