Volunteer Policy

We involve volunteers because we do not have any paid employees and everything that is done needs to be done by a volunteer.

Recruitment

We seek to recruit volunteers from our own membership and also from educational institutions. Volunteers can benefit by furthering their personal development, confidence and experience which may increase employability skills.

All potential volunteers will be given information on the kind of help that we need and interviewed informally to assess if they can be appropriately matched to a volunteer role. When selecting volunteers, we will consider the needs of both the potential volunteer and our organisation to ensure that we safeguard the wellbeing of both parties. For potential volunteers who are also seeking benefits, we suggest that you check your eligibility to volunteer with the Department for Work and Pensions.

We welcome applications from volunteers aged 18 years or older.  We do not ask volunteers to interact with children or vulnerable adults and do not require DBS checks.

Training & Support

All volunteers will be welcomed into our organisation and will be inducted by a named board member, who will also provide regular support. Expenses incurred by volunteers will only be reimbursed if this is agreed before the expense is incurred.

Diversity

We are inclusive in our approach to volunteering and aim to represent the diversity of the local community in our involvement of volunteers. We are committed to developing and maintaining an organisation where differing ideas, abilities, backgrounds and needs are valued and where those with diverse backgrounds and experiences are able to participate and contribute. However, we prefer to have volunteers who support Birmingham City FC.

Insurance

Blues Trust will have public liability insurance that covers volunteers.

Health & Safety

Blues Trust understand that we have a duty of care to our volunteers to minimise risks to themselves and others.

A board member, in conjunction with the volunteer, will do a risk assessment of the main activities that a volunteer is asked to do.

Volunteers will be given clear guidelines on what they are asked to do and opportunities to ask questions about any aspect of their volunteering work.

Blues Trust will not usually supply any equipment to volunteers. If it does supply equipment in the future, a board member will ensure that it is in good working order and the volunteer is given instruction on how to use it.