VOLUNTEERS PAGE

Swimming

Diving

There is increasing government attention on volunteering, with growing numbers of people being encouraged to volunteer. It is therefore vital that organisations and volunteers understand both the good practice and the legal implications of volunteer involvement, in order to ensure that volunteering remains a valuable experience for all.

This page provides clubs and volunteers with links to useful contacts where you can find more information about:

The law;

Expenses
Contracts, and
Health and safety

Useful organisations

Amateur Swimming Association Wide ranging resources are available including the ASA’s policies on recruiting, training and retaining volunteers.

Sport England Wide ranging resources and research are available

do-it.org.uk Launched in 2001 as the first, and still the only, national database of volunteering opportunities in the UK.

Criminal Records Bureau The CRB’s aim is to help organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable to work with children or other vulnerable members of society.

Volunteering England Volunteering England is the national volunteer dev elopement organisation for England. It works strategically across the voluntary, public and private sectors to raise the profile of volunteering as a powerful force for change, and it provides support systems to assist anyone involved with volunteers

Health and Safety Executive For more information about all aspects of health and safety you can call the Health and Safety Executive Infoline on 08450 3435 0055.

National Council for Voluntary Organisation NCVO is a charity giving voice and support to voluntary and community organisation.

Community Matters Community Matters is the nationwide federation for community associations and similar organisations. They have played a key role in promoting and supporting action by ordinary people in response to social, educational and recreational needs in their neighbourhoods and communities.

Useful publications

Volunteers and the Law A valuable reference for large and small organisations. It clearly explains the main issues around volunteers’ legal status and responsibilities that organisations have towards their volunteers

The Independent Safeguarding Authority. A new scheme for vetting, barring and accessing CRB checks. The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) scheme for vetting and barring will aim to help organisations increase protection of children and vulnerable adults, by improving the current provisions for screening potential (and current) volunteers and employees.

The Health & Safety Handbook for Volunteers & Community Organisations, second edition. Price £16.95. From: Directory of Social Change, 24 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2DP Tel: 08450 77 77 07 Website: www.dsc.org.uk

Insurance Guide for Voluntary Organisations Price £6.00 From: National Council for Voluntary Organisations Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL Tel: 0207 713 6161 Website: www.nvco-vol.org.uk

Charity and Voluntary Workers: A guide to Health and safety at work. Price £12.00 Health and Safety Executive, Charities Safety Group Tel: 0845 345 0055 Website: www.hse.gov.uk