VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION

Volunteer Information Sheet
(updated as of 21:00, 17th April 2020)

Thank you for joining the Mutual Aid group for the Caledonian & Barnsbury wards. For any questions, problems, or for any point of contact, please email callybarnsmutualaid@gmail.com.

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Make sure you have joined the correct local WhatsApp group for your area. A full list and maps for each can be found on this link. Please exit any other groups, as they have limited capacity!

For volunteers:

Please firstly provide us with your details and your available volunteering services by filling in the Google Form at: https://tinyurl.com/callybarnsregister.

We currently require assistance in:

• Running errands for helpseekers (NB. please keep all receipts!)

• Friendly check-ins/phone conversations - more info on this here: https://tinyurl.com/callybarnsbefriending

• Translation services & professional advice

We are also looking for:

• Donations of toiletries & medical equipment. Please message Rob on 07821 586879 via WhatsApp if you have equipment to donate. You can see a live inventory of equipment that we currently possess at: https://tinyurl.com/callybarnsequpiment 

• Services & resources offered by local businesses. Please fill in this Google Form: https://tinyurl.com/callybarnsbusiness or message Rob on 07821 586879 via WhatsApp if you have anything you would like to offer.

• Food, supplies & monetary donations to local foodbanks. Please find more information here: https://tinyurl.com/localfoodbanks.

Procedure for errand running:

1. Coordinators will field errands from helpseekers, either directly or via a message on one of the local WhatsApp groups.

2. Coordinator will then either message you directly (using our volunteers database), or send a message on the relevant local WhatsApp group.

3. The preference will be for two volunteers per errand - particularly for vulnerable individuals - but this is at the helpseeker’s discretion.

4. The coordinator will connect the volunteer(s) and the helpseeker, and give some basic details of the errand (such as what it entails and its urgency).

5. Next, contact the helpseeker to introduce yourself and to find out any further details.

6. Ensure you make the following arrangements before running the errand:

   1. Where to collect and/or deposit any items: on the doorstep, in a safe space, etc. Volunteers are not to engage directly with those in isolation.

   2. How you will be reimbursed for any shopping - e.g. cash, bank transfer, PayPal, Monzo, etc. Always keep all receipts!

7. Please note: if the helpseeker is unable to pay for whatever reason (e.g. no access to cash, does not use internet banking) - let the coordinator know, and we can arrange reimbursement via our Open Collective fund. In order to do this you must keep AND photograph receipts from your errand.

8. After you have completed the errand - please inform the coordinator straight away so that we can update the spreadsheet.

Please also take note of these other important pointers:

• Volunteers must regularly wash hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with soap and water, following NHS guidelines: https://tinyurl.com/nhshandwashing.

• Volunteers are not to wear gloves, when flyering or running errands. Use hand sanitisers often for disinfecting your hands.

• All are to abide by GDPR rules, as outlined in the privacy notice within our Padlet. Minimise any collection of personal information (i.e. addresses, numbers) if possible.

• No harassment of any form is permitted. All private messages should be sent with the consent of both parties involved and only necessary personal information should be shared.