A Guide to Managing Risks when working with Volunteers

In these challenging times, lots of people are coming together to offer their volunteering services across different communities within the UK.

To help local (parish and town) councils best support their communities and distribute support where it’s needed most, we have created a guide with information on managing volunteers and managing the associated risks during the Coronavirus pandemic.

We explore ways that volunteers can help out during the outbreak to support vulnerable people locally. This includes specific activities that volunteers can do to help out in their communities as well as where to go for volunteering opportunities. The guide discusses how charities and community groups need to work together to co-ordinate the support and how councils can support new neighbourhood groups forming as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Key considerations for Councils in coordinating local support is spoken about within the guide, specifically about why the role of leadership is important when protecting different vulnerable groups as well as how to share information with volunteers safely and securely.  

We have included examples of effective volunteering campaigns and communication strategies from councils, including guidelines for local residents, a downloadable volunteers pack, short surveys and dedicated social media pages and Whatsapp groups.

Finally, we explore risk management guidance for individuals who are setting up voluntary groups, including explanations of the insurance you will need to consider for volunteers. We have included a template of our risk assessment document for councils to use. Councils can print off the full document and use it during the outbreak.

While this guide should not be used as a substitute for government or other appropriate professional advice, there is some useful and practical guidance to help local councils plan ahead and manage risks.