Code of Practice

Volunteers with York Neighbours will frequently come into contact with frail, vulnerable and socially isolated older people. We therefore ask all volunteers to sign up to work to a Code of Practice, a copy of which can be downloaded here. Alternatively, please contact the office on 01904 891627 to request a paper copy.

Policies and Procedures

York Neighbours has policies and procedures to ensure we work effectively, fairly and consistently with volunteers and the roles they undertake. Your contribution as a volunteers is recognised as evident in the following:

• York Neighbours Volunteer Policy
• York Neighbours Health and Safety Statement
• York Neighbours Equality Policy
• York Neighbours Volunteers' Expenses policy
• York Neighbours Complaints Procedure
• York Neighbours Confidentiality Policy
• York Neighbours Whistle Blowing Policy
• York Neighbours Safeguarding Policy and Procedure
• York Neighbours Lone Working Policy
• York Neighbours Accident or Near Miss Report
• York Neighbours Conflict of Interests Policy

If you would like a paper copy of any of the above documents, please contact us on 01904 891627 or you can download electronic versions on the links above.

We appreciate that this may all seem very formal for someone just wanting to help their neighbours with small tasks, but it is necessary because the people we visit are classed as vulnerable adults and volunteers may be visiting them in their homes, taking them out in their cars and possibly handling cash etc.

Volunteer Recruitment

Please find below the procedure for becoming a York Neighbours volunteer:

1. Application form: When you let us know you are interested in becoming a YN volunteer, you will be given/sent information on the charty and provided with an application form to complete.

2. Informal interview: Once the completed application form is received, you will be asked to come into the YN office for an informal interview. This is an opportunity for both parties to ask questions to help find out if volunteering with YN is the right role for you.

3. References: If after the interview both parties wish to continue with the application, you will be asked to provide two references from people you have known them for at least 2 years and who are not friends or family members, e.g. an employer, work colleague, neighbour, religious cleric etc.

4. Disclosure & Barring Service (police check): If both references are satisfactory applicants will be asked to complete a Disclosure & Barring Service form.

5. Confidentiality: All volunteers will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. It is very important that volunteers don’t pass on personal information that neighbours share with them, however harmless this seems. However, it will be explained to neighbours that there will be a two-way exchange of information between the Co-ordinator and volunteer as necessary for providing a safe and efficient service. For example, all contacts will be recorded and monitored between the Co-ordinator, neighbour and volunteer.

6. Induction and Safeguarding Training: All volunteers must complete York Neighbours' Induction and Safeguarding Training session before beginning their volunteer role. Currently the training has to be repeated yearly.

7. Identity cards: Neighbours will be given the name of the volunteer who is going to visit them and either the Co-ordinator or the volunteer will ring the neighbour to agree when they will visit. On completion of steps 1-5 above all volunteers will be asked to have their photo taken so they can be given an identity card before taking on their first task.