Orbit Living Digital Champions Information Pack

Orbit Volunteering - Terms and Conditions

Last updated: 18th May 2015 Contact in Orbit: [email protected]

Contents Introduction This document contains the terms and conditions for people who are considering: 1. Submitting an idea for a potential volunteering project for Orbit to undertake 2. Pledging their time to work on an Orbit volunteer project

If you have any questions relating to this document please contact [email protected]

1. Submitting a potential volunteering project

Who is able to submit a potential volunteering project? Any member of Orbit staff, their customers, partners or suppliers.

How do I submit an idea? Via our website www.orbit.org.uk/volunteer Complete the online form and submit to us, these will be reviewed and considered within 5 working days and you will be contacted to make further arrangements.

What sorts of projects can I put forward? Any idea must be relevant to the work Orbit does in trying to improve the quality of our customers’ lives and helping to create thriving and empowered communities where they live. The idea must benefit our customers or the wider communities in which they live but must not relate to promoting political or religious beliefs. Some examples of projects are:  Decorating a Community Centre to enable local children to hold events and clubs  Clearing or improving a communal garden area for customers and their children to use for leisure activities and having fun  Helping customers get online or improve confidence through mentoring or coaching

Will my idea receive funding from Orbit? Each idea will be reviewed on its own merit but generally no, these projects rely heavily on people volunteering their time and donations from local contractors, suppliers and partners. We will work with the individual submitting the idea to ensure that resources required are secured.

What happens if my idea is taken forward? You will be contacted by a member of the team at Orbit to discuss details and the project will be posted on our volunteering section of our website allowing people to pledge their time.

of 4 Where possible, you will be expected to provide pictures or videos that can be put on our website to allow people understand what it is you are trying to achieve.

2. Pledging your time to work on an Orbit Volunteer project

Who is able to pledge their time to an Orbit volunteering project? Any member of Orbit staff, their customers, partners or suppliers. You must be over 16 and be a UK resident or have permission to live in the UK.

How do I pledge my time? Via our website www.orbit.org.uk/volunteer Search the volunteering projects available, complete the online form and submit to us. You will be contacted by a member of the team with specific information about the volunteering project you have pledged your time to.

What sort of projects are available? This varies widely but there is a search function on our website so you are able to filter either for a particular area or certain type of project e.g. Gardening, IT Skills etc.

Why should I pledge my time? Orbit is committed to improving the quality of our customers’ lives and helping to create thriving and empowered communities where they live, one way we do this is through volunteering opportunities for our staff, customers, suppliers and partners. As a volunteer you will be directly making a difference to the lives of those people you are helping and possibly learning new skills, meeting new people and having fun at the same time. You don’t have to be an expert or qualified professional to be involved in a particular volunteering project it is just as important to have enthusiasm and commitment to the cause.

If I am an Orbit employee will I be given time off to do this? Yes, Orbit employees are allowed up to 1 working day per year to take part in volunteering activities, this is fully paid. This must be approved by their line manager before they commit via the online form and they must keep them updated on progress and involvement throughout. Volunteers may also be required to take part in the planning of the event, this will be arranged in conjunction with the volunteer.

What are the health and safety arrangements? A Health and Safety Risk Assessment will be undertaken for all events and appropriate measures will be put in place to protect the welfare of those involved. There may be a requirement for volunteers to have some Health and Safety training – only if appropriate to the events and role being undertaken.

of 4 All staff taking part will be responsible for their own personal safety and possessions whilst taking part in the Volunteering events as Orbit will not be liable for any loss or damage to personal items e.g. clothing, jewellery.

What rules do I need to follow when volunteering? All volunteers are expected to:  Be friendly, polite and courteous to everyone involved in the event. Inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated  Inform the organiser if you have any specific requirements to be able to perform your volunteering duties, we encourage people of all abilities and backgrounds to get involved in volunteering so this should not be an issue  Keep the organiser up to date if your arrangements change, you are unable to volunteer or anything that may impact upon the aims of the event  Dress appropriately for the event e.g. if you are spending the day gardening or painting wear old clothes and shoes that you do not mind getting dirty, Orbit cannot be held responsible for any possessions that are damaged, these are the owners responsibility  Be safe, take responsibility for your own personal safety and use common sense. If you have concerns speak to the organiser or another Orbit representative  Talk to the organiser if you will be expected to incur any significant expenses. As a rule we do not reimburse expenses but there may be exceptions to this. Expenses must be agreed in advance and claimed within 3 months. Refreshments and lunch are generally provided for events longer than 3 hours.