Volunteer Policy

Belfast Exposed recognises that volunteering makes a contribution to society. On a societal level it can enhance active citizenship and social cohesion, as by its very nature volunteering is about bringing people together. On an individual level people see volunteering as a way of developing social contacts and putting something back.
Furthermore, we recognize that volunteering can address social exclusion by improving employability; have a beneficial effect on people’s health and psychological well-being; further education through mentoring and peer education; and, overcome feelings of social isolation by connecting people to their local communities.

Belfast Exposed recognises that volunteering:

• Is based on personal motivation and choices, freely undertaken;
• Is a way of furthering active citizenship and community involvement;
• Enhances human potential and the quality of daily life, building up human solidarity;
• Provides answers for the great challenges of our time, striving for a better and more peaceful world;
• Contributes to the vitality of economic life, even creating jobs and new professions.

Recognizing that, unlike paid staff, volunteers are not covered by employment agreements, Belfast Exposed’s volunteers have the right to:

• Work in a healthy and safe environment;
• Be interviewed and taken on in accordance with equal opportunity and fair employment legislation;
• Be adequately covered by insurance;
• Receive regular evaluation and recognition of their work;
• Be given accurate and truthful information about Belfast Exposed;
• Be reimbursed for genuine out of pocket expenses;
• Have a volunteer job description and agreed hours of volunteering;
• Have access to a grievance procedure;
• Be provided with guidance and orientation to the organization;
• Be provided with adequate training.

Furthermore, Belfast Exposed’s volunteers are not taken on:

to fill a position previously held by a paid worker;
to do the work of paid staff during industrial disputes.

All Belfast Exposed’s volunteers must:

• Familiarise themselves with and follow Belfast Exposed’s policies, Health and Safety Policy Statement; Policy for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable People; Sexual and Racial Harassment, Code of Practice; Disability Equality and Awareness Policy;Equal opportunities Policy Statement; Policy on Working with Volunteers (this document) Equipment Policy.

• Ensure their own safety, the safety of other members of the society and the general public;
• Must not carry out a task about which they are uncertain, or if they are unsure of the correct safety procedure;
• Inform the Project Manager if they have a medical condition which may affect them in the course of their duties;

• Co-operate in a spirit of mutual understanding and respect with other volunteers and employees of Belfast Exposed (including freelances);
• Undertake training as required;
• Maintain confidentiality in their activities where appropriate.

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