Volunteers are the life-blood of Repair Café Wales which could not function without them. We are aware that they give their time freely and without monetary compensation.
However, in order to protect our volunteers, our visitors, and our organisation, we need to have a Code of Conduct for Volunteers.
The purpose of the Code of Conduct for Volunteers is to set out standards of behaviour expected from volunteers of Repair Café Wales. All volunteers should ensure that they have read and comply with this Code of Conduct.
Volunteers should maintain the highest standards of behaviour in the performance of their duties by:
- Performing their volunteer role to the best of their ability in a safe, efficient and competent way;
- Following the organisation’s policies and procedures as well as any instructions or directions reasonably given to them;
- Acting honestly, responsibly and with integrity;
- Treating others with fairness, equality, dignity and respect;
- Raising concerns about possible wrongdoing witnessed by the volunteer in the course of the volunteer’s role with Repair Café Wales. Concerns should be raised with their Volunteer Organiser in the first instance. If concerns raised are around safeguarding, the Safeguarding Policy should be followed.
- Meeting time and task commitments and providing sufficient notice when they will not be available so that alternative arrangements can be made;
- Acting in a way that is in line with the purpose and values of the Repair Café Wales and that enhances the work of the organisation;
- Communicating respectfully and honestly at all times;
- Observing safety procedures, including any obligations concerning the safety, health, and welfare of other people in line with training provided to volunteers;
- Reporting any health and safety concerns;
- Directing any questions regarding Repair Café Wales’ policies, procedures, support or supervision to the Volunteer Organiser;
- Addressing any issues or difficulties about any aspect of their role or how they are managed to the Volunteer Organiser in the first instance.
- Declaring any interests that may conflict with their role or the work of the organisation (e.g. business interests or employment). If any doubt arises as to what constitutes a conflict of interest, volunteers may seek guidance from the Volunteer Organiser in the first instance.
- Keeping confidential matters confidential;
- Exercising caution and care with any documents, material or devices, containing confidential information and at the end of their involvement with Repair Café Wales, returning any such documents, or material in their possession;
- Seeking authorisation before communicating externally on behalf of Repair Café Wales;
- Maintaining an appropriate standard of dress and personal hygiene;
Volunteers are expected NOT to:
- Bring the organisation into disrepute (including through the use of email, social media and other internet sites, engaging with media etc.);
- Seek any gifts, rewards, benefits or hospitality in the course of their role;
- Engage in any activity that may cause physical or mental harm or distress to another person (such as verbal abuse, physical abuse, assault, bullying, or discrimination or harassment on the grounds of age; gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant, disability, race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin; religion or belief; sex or sexual orientation.
- Be affected by alcohol, drugs, or medication which will affect their abilities to carry out their duties and responsibilities while volunteering;
- Provide a false or misleading statement, declaration, document, record or claim in respect of Repair Café Wales, its volunteers, employees or Directors;
- Engage in any activity that may damage property;
- Take unauthorised possession of property that does not belong to them.
- Engage in illegal activity while carrying out their role.
- Improperly disclose, during or after their involvement with Repair Café Wales ends, confidential information gained in the course of their role with Repair Café Wales.
Where a volunteer is found to be in breach of the standards outlined in this Code of Conduct or any of Repair Café Wales’ other policies and procedures this may result in the volunteer’s position being terminated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, volunteers should note that Repair Café Wales may terminate a volunteer’s position without cause.
Volunteers acknowledge that no employment relationship is created in the context of their role with Repair Café Wales.
In the case of a Volunteer Organiser being in breach of this Code of Conduct, please contact Phoebe Brown at Repair Café Wales in the first instance: phoebe@repaircafewales.org.