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Tomkins26432  
#1 Posted : 07 July 2020 14:01:53(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Tomkins26432

As Wildlife Trusts we accomplish various elements of our work using volunteers. Under C-19 Govt. guidance are these volunteers working or socialising? At present in England we are undertaking various tasks capped at six participants; including supervisors and volunteers, but in Wales the Wildlife Trust is restricted to two households, we are working to 'social' guidance. We could consider these volunteers as delivering work for us, therefore not not restricted by the Govt. number guidelines, all work/volunteering is carried out under additional C-19 RAMS, which I feel is the difference between 'work' and 'social'. Any thoughts? 

stevedm  
#2 Posted : 08 July 2020 09:00:55(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stevedm

work is work and social is social just because COVID-19 is here doesn't mean any rules or definitions change...every volunteer will be regarded as an employee for duty of care...

one problem we have come across is when we COVID-19 age volunteers, most are over the age of 60 and have had previous/ underlying medical conditions which makes them high risk straight away...which isn't helpful as there needs to be additional control measures put in place before we even get them out of the house...

brianauld  
#3 Posted : 08 July 2020 15:02:56(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
brianauld

As Stevedm has stated, volunteers should be regarded as employees for duty of care purposes. I work with over 20,000 volunteers and I have taken a single system approach so there is no difference between how we look after volunteers compared to employees. As for the age of the volunteers, those within the high risk category (Scotland) are asked to consider whether volunteering at this time is right for them. It is difficult to have a blanket ban on someone over a certain age when they are fit and healthy. Those in the Extremely Vulnerable category (Shielding) are asked not to volunteer at this time. 

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