Welcome to Carers Choices
Many thanks for supporting Carers Choices as a volunteer. You will play an important part in the delivery of our services either direct to our beneficiaries or through one of a community or fundraising ventures. Your contribution is immensely important to us and without your dedication and commitment we would not be able to support as many people as we currently reach.
Carers Choices' mission is to improve the quality of care and support for people in Essex enabling them to make positive choices.
By becoming one of our valued volunteers, you will be helping Carers of all ages who provide the care and support needed by their loved ones. You add value to what we do no matter how often or how much you do. Volunteers bring so much to our organisation - experience, skills, enthusiasm, time, a listening ear, an extra pair of hands or just a calm moment in a busy or difficult day.
Support for Volunteers
You will be given the opportunity to attend quarterly supervisions with your supervisor to discuss anything at all that either of you feel is of significance to the role.
Please ensure that you keep the office informed of your contact details (in particular an email address should you have one) so that we can keep you up to date with any news from Carers Choices.
Equal Opportunities and Diversity
Carers Choices is committed to encouraging diversity amongst our volunteers. The aim is that our volunteers will be truly representative of all sections of society. Each volunteer should feel respected and valued irrespective of gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age, offending background or responsibilities for dependents.
We aim to treat volunteers fairly and with respect, and anyone making contact with our organisation, working in the organisation or having a service provided by our organisation will be treated with respect and receive an equal service.
Safeguarding Adults and Young People
Many of Carers Choices volunteering opportunities will involve working with vulnerable adults and children. Carers Choices is an organisation committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, trustees and volunteers to share this commitment.
It is every person’s right to live a life free from abuse and neglect. Vulnerable adults and children should be treated in a way that respects and promotes the human rights of all citizens under the Human Rights Act 1998. Actions taken to protect their interests will aim to respect their dignity, privacy and beliefs, whatever their race, religion, language, gender, disability, age or sexual orientation.
The definition of abuse is:
"Any act or failure to act, which results in a significant breach of an adult at risk's hman rights, civil liberties, bodily integrity, dignity or well-being, whether intended or inadvertant, including sexual relationships or financial transactions to which the person has not, or cannot, consent or which they are deliberatively exploitative".
- Safeguarding Adults and Children with Disabilities against abuse: Council of Europe 2002.
If your volunteering role requires working with/supporting vulnerable adults or children you will be required to have a DBS check and participate in Safeguarding Training. Should you be concerned about someone who you feel is at risk of abuse you should speak to your supervisor as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can contact the Carers Choices office on 01268 881130 and ask to speak to a Designated Safeguarding Officer.
Sickness and Holidays
If you are unable to volunteer due to sickness or holidays or for any other reasons please inform your supervisor, giving as much notice as possible.
Expenses
Volunteers are able to reclaim out of pocket expenses incurred as a volunteer. Please speak to your supervisor for more information.
Carers Choices Policies and Procedures
Carers Choices adhere to a wide range of polices which ensure the organisation is operated in line with CQC standards. Carers Choices Policies and Procedures are available for you to access anytime on the online Staff Handbook. Please email hr@carerschoices.org for access to this site.
Resolving Problems
The relationship between Carers Choices and its volunteers is entirely and does not imply any contract. However, it is important that the organisation is able to maintain its agreed standards of service to its clients, and it is also important that volunteers should enjoy making their contribution to this service.
If your role as a volunteer does not meet Carers Choices standards you will be invited by your supervisor to discuss the situation and offered support to reach the expected standards. If this does not resolve the situation, then your volunteering within Carers Choices will cease.
Similarly, if you are unhappy with any aspect of your volunteering role you should initially explain your dissatisfaction with your supervisor or their Line Manager. If your dissatisfaction remains unresolved, then it would be inappropriate for you to continue to be a volunteer with Carers Choices.
I confirm I have read the above and agree to Carers Choices holding my information during the time I am in my volunteering role in accordance with their data protection policy.