How to volunteer safely
Last updated: 6 May, 2020
Many people are offering to support each other during coronavirus. Volunteering safely means you can:
Data protection
During your volunteering you may come across personal information about people.
This might be:
addresses
family details
medical information
If you do come across information like this, do not share it with anyone.
You must:
treat personal information as you would want yours to be treated
report any possible breach of data protection to the organisation or group you’re volunteering for
You must not:
share details you come across with anyone
leave messages that contain personal information if you do not know who may hear them
Withholding your phone number
When calling someone you’re supporting, we recommend you withhold your number.
To do so dial 141 before the number you want to call.
Equality
You’ll be supporting a wide range of people.
Everyone is different and it's important to treat people with respect.
You must:
treat others how you would want to be treated
respect people, whatever their background or beliefs
You must not:
exclude or treat people differently because of their background or beliefs
ignore any unacceptable behaviour towards others – report this to the group you are volunteering for
Safeguarding
You may come across people at risk of harm or abuse during your volunteering.
You must:
report any abuse you become aware of, or become suspicious of
You must not:
promise confidentiality if someone informs you of abuse
Look at our Ways you can help your community page to find out how you can support people during coronavirus.
Share your story
Do you have a story about how your community has come together to support each other?
We'd love to share your story on our website to encourage other people to get or offer support.