Equality & Diversity
We are committed to treating all volunteers, volunteer applicants and customers with dignity and respect. We are committed to always being inclusive and not discriminate unfairly against any volunteer, applicant or customer on the basis of age, ethnic origin, race, religion, gender re-assignment, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or any other factor unrelated to their role.
Insurances
Fare Divide C.I.C. carries third party insurance cover in respect to volunteers.
We also provide a limited personal accident insurance for volunteers aged between 17 and 85 (inclusive); however, you are advised to check that you have adequate personal insurance cover for your own requirements under your own policies, in respect for any role carried out. If you are a surplus food collector using your vehicle to collect deliveries, it’s important that you have adequate cover in place with your insurance. Normally there is no additional premium for volunteer cover under your policy. If there is an increase, then you may be able to claim the increase back until next renewal of your insurance. Please consult us about this in advance of paying for any premium increase. Your car is not covered by Fare Divide C.I.C.’s insurance.
Fire Procedures & First Aid
The fire drill procedure and location of first aid kits will be detailed on induction. The locations and information depends on the Fridge location or pop up you are volunteering at. Please ask if you have any queries.
Confidentiality
You may become party to information of a confidential nature and your discretion is essential. If you have any doubt about an appropriate course of action, then please speak to the Volunteer Fridge Director about it.
Data Protection
We need to gather certain information about individuals, including volunteers, excess food suppliers and other people whom we have a relationship with.
All volunteer details are kept as part of your volunteer file and we will process it for all purposes in connection with your voluntary role.
Safeguarding policy and procedure
Safeguarding is about protecting people (both adults and children) from the risk of abuse or neglect.
Given the activities that Fare Divide carries out, it is possible that our volunteers will see people who disclose abuse or neglect OR it is possible that a volunteer observes signs of possible abuse or neglect.
Safeguarding is every volunteer’s responsibility. For our safeguarding policy to be effective every volunteer, whatever their role, has a part in keeping people safe.
Definitions
Adults: For the purposes of this policy, adults are people aged 18 or over.
Our Policy
Fare Divide has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse.
All new volunteers are given an induction to the Fridge; which includes awareness of their safeguarding responsibilities and procedures to be followed if they have a safeguarding concern
Appropriate Safeguarding training is provided to volunteers and staff as part of their induction.
All volunteers are required to report any suspected abuse and be aware of the appropriate reporting and support procedure for safeguarding.
How to report a safeguarding matter
If you suspect that a fellow volunteer or one of our customers is at risk of abuse or neglect please speak to our Safeguarding Lead. Ask the admin team or the session lead if you do not know who this is.
If one of our customers or a fellow volunteer speaks with you about a safeguarding matter affecting them, you should listen to them, in a non-judgmental way and explain that you will need to refer what they have disclosed to the Safeguarding Lead who has a greater understanding of these matters and will try to support them.
If an individual asks you to keep what they have disclosed to you ‘a secret’ or confidential, you must explain to them, as sensitively as possible, that you are not able to do that. That you are required to tell the Safeguarding Lead.
Please remember that it is NOT your responsibility to decide whether abuse or neglect has taken place, it IS your responsibility to report it.
Health & Safety
Health and Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Activities carried out on a voluntary basis are covered by the same health and safety legislative requirements. So, it is important to understand and accept personal responsibility towards promoting and maintaining standards to provide a safe working environment for all.
Your Health
Your health is important, and it is your responsibility to alert the Volunteer Co-ordinator of any medical conditions that may be relevant, and who to contact in an emergency. These details are kept securely on file and may be accessible by volunteers if there is an emergency.
Please also update us if anything changes to your health.
Holidays and illness
Everyone needs time off. Please let us know with as much notice as possible so we can rearrange volunteer cover. Equally, if you are unwell especially with sickness or diarrhoea, then please let us know as it may be a Food Safety Issue, and you will be unable to volunteer for 48 hours after symptoms have passed.