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OUR COVID-19 VOLUNTEER POLICY
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THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS BASED ON OFFICIAL GUIDANCE AVAILABLE ON GOV.UK WEBSITE

AS OF 30TH MARCH 2021

 

Volunteering and charitable services

You can gather above the limit of 6 people or 2 households, or gather indoors, where this is reasonably necessary in order to provide voluntary or charitable services.

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Volunteering outside your home

You can volunteer outside your home if:

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If you’re ‘clinically vulnerable’ (moderate risk from coronavirus), you can still volunteer outside your home but you should take extra care.

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If you’re volunteering in a workplace, it should meet coronavirus safety standards.

 

Volunteering with others

While volunteering, you can meet in groups of any size - indoors or outdoors - from different households. However, lower numbers of people involved will help to reduce the overall number of social interactions.

You can also meet in groups for activities necessary for your volunteering, including recruitment and training, as long as you do so in a COVID-secure setting and socially distance from people outside your household. This does not include meeting in person as part of a social activity.

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You should:

  • follow social distancing guidelines

  • wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds

  • wear a face covering indoors

  • stay 2 metres away from people you do not live with

  • ensure any indoor location is ventilated well with fresh air

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In some volunteering roles, it may not be possible for you to follow this guidance. If this is the case, you should refer to national lockdown guidance and consider if it is essential for this activity to go ahead.

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The organisation or group of volunteers running these activities can keep people safe by following coronavirus safety standards.

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  • Remember - Ensure you follow the following guidelines:

  • Distance – Where possible maintain the distance rule of 2 metres

  • Mask - Cover your face

  • Washing – wash your hands for at least 20 seconds

  • Follow the Guidelines and procedures of your Charity for sanitisation and recording temperature.

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If you have been told to shield – do not volunteer.

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If you been in contact with anyone with Covid 19 or suspect that you may have had contact or feel any symptoms – do not volunteer

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Clean your surroundings

Clean surfaces often. Pay particular attention to surfaces that are touched frequently, such as handles, light switches, work surfaces and electronic devices.

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Use disposable cloths, paper roll or disposable mop heads to clean all hard surfaces, floors, chairs, door handles and sanitary fittings – think ‘one site, one wipe, in one direction’. Any cloths, paper roll or mop heads used can be disposed of with your usual domestic waste.

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Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze

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Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when you cough or sneeze.

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If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not into your hand.

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Dispose of tissues into a rubbish bag and immediately wash your hands.

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Let fresh air in (ventilation)

Make sure you let plenty of fresh air into your environment by uncovering vents and opening doors and windows, even a small amount for a short period of time. If you have an extractor fan (for example in the bathroom or kitchen), leave it running for longer than usual with the door closed after someone has used the room.

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If someone in a household is self-isolating, open a window in their room and keep the door closed to reduce the spread of contaminated air to other parts of the household. Leave windows open fully for a short period after someone working in your home such as a cleaner or tradesperson has left.

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If you are concerned about noise, security or the costs of heating, opening windows for shorter periods of time can still help to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. Wearing warm clothes or extra layers can help you to keep warm. You may be able to change the layout of your room so that you do not sit close to cold draughts from open windows or doors.

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Get tested if you have symptoms

How to get a test

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The most important symptoms of COVID-19 are:

  • a new continuous cough

  • a high temperature

  • a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

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If you have any of these symptoms get a free NHS test or call NHS 119 to book a free COVID-19 test. You should arrange a test even if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or if you have had COVID-19 before.

Self-isolate if you have COVID-19 symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test result.

Volunteering in a support group

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There cannot be more than 15 people (aged 5 and older) in the support group itself. There is no limit to the number of volunteers, but lower numbers of people involved will reduce the overall number of social interactions.

  • For example, 5 volunteers could support up to 15 parents and children in a group session, to make a group of 20 in total.

  • Formal support groups that have to take place in person, can continue to do so. They must not be run from private homes.

  • Support groups should provide mutual aid, therapy or another form of support.

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Travelling to volunteer or while volunteering

Where you are unable to volunteer from home, you are allowed to travel in order to reach the volunteering location or while volunteering in England.

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While travelling, you should:

  • stay local where possible - avoid travelling outside of your village, town or part of the city where you live, unless absolutely necessary

  • walk or cycle if you can (use public transport or drive when that is not possible)

  • plan ahead and avoid the busiest times and routes

  • follow the safer travel guidance

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