Information for volunteers

This page provides tips for volunteers on how to stay safe, including information about safeguarding, reporting a concern for an adult or child, and managing personal data.

Sign up to volunteer with Kingston Stronger Together

In response to the Covid-19 situation the council has established a volunteering network called Kingston Stronger Together, working in partnership with Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA) and Volunteering Kingston. Register to volunteer by completing the form. If you need any support completing this form or have any questions, you can get in touch with Volunteering Kingston by emailing [email protected] or calling 0300 365 9980.

Volunteering safely 

We have developed a set of resources to support all groups and individuals who are already actively volunteering in the borough to do this in a safe and sustainable way. We will be adding more resources and training offers in the coming weeks and months so please check back with us. 

Kingston Voluntary Action also provides support and information for safe sustainable volunteering. 

Volunteering Kingston have put together their top tips for volunteers 

Delivering food and supplies 

If you are delivering food or other supplies to the homes of vulnerable people or those in isolation, please adhere to the following advice in order to stay safe:

  • Do not volunteer if you feel unwell or have a cough or high temperature (fever)

  • Ensure family, friends or other volunteers know where you are going;

  • Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before handling supplies;

  • Do not enter the home of the person you are delivering supplies to. Leave goods on the doorstep and remain at least 2 metres away when the person comes to the door;

  • Wear disposable gloves if provided to deliver supplies and/or wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds (or use alcohol based hand sanitiser gel if you have some and there are no washing facilities available) as soon as possible after you have delivered the supplies.

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze. Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards.

Safeguarding 

We have detailed information on safeguarding available if you are concerned about an adult or a child while you are volunteering: 

Safeguarding information for Adults 

Safeguarding information for Children 

If you are concerned please follow steps

  1. Record what was said/what you saw as soon as possible (don't do it in front of the person if possible)

  2. Try to use exact language used, specific description in recordings

  3. Contact safeguarding lead to report what you have recorded

Top tips

  • If you are concerned seek advice

  • Never promise confidentiality

  • Trust your instincts

  • Remember it is not your job to investigate

Report your concern about an adult

Using the safeguarding concern form and then sending us an email.

  • You can also Call the Access and Safeguarding Team during office hours on 020 8547 5005 and

  • During out of hours phone  020 8770 5000. 

Reporting a concern about a child

Contact the Single Point of Access. They are committed to supporting and safeguarding children. 

You can contact the team to request support, or to report a concern about a child or young person.

  • Call 020 8547 5008 from 8am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 5pm on Friday.

  • During out of hours, phone 020 8770 5000.

  • Call 999 if you think a young person is in immediate danger

Remember: If you are worried about the behaviour of a volunteer themselves, maybe towards a child or adult or in their private lives, but this could indicate they are unsuitable to volunteer with children and families, call the Single Point of Access. 

Managing personal data securely - top tips

Personal data (such as phone number, address or medical details) is any information that is clearly about a particular person. It must be managed carefully and lawfully. If you are collecting personal data please follow these tips:

  • Only collect the data you need to carry out the volunteering you need to do. Do not collect additional data. If you only need a name and address do not ask for a date of birth. 

  • Make sure personal data is shared on a need to know basis only. Make one or two people responsible for managing the data. Know who has access to it. 

  • If you are setting up groups such as WhatsApp, Facebook or sharing emails - please make sure that everyone has opted in before adding them to these groups.

  • Do not use the data you have collected for any other purpose than what it was collected for. 

  • Once you no longer need it - delete it.

  • Store the data on a secure IT system making sure the information is not seen by unauthorised person(s) or the general public

If you have any concerns or questions about managing personal data we can help. Contact [email protected] 

For information on how you can help, including donations, visit our how can I help page.

Last Modified: 18/12/2020 13:57:13