1. Our commitment to volunteers

The Healing Hubs is committed to: making volunteering a positive, rewarding, and safe experience; providing clear role descriptions and appropriate training; offering regular support and supervision; recognising and celebrating the contribution of volunteers; and treating all volunteers with dignity, respect, and fairness.

2. Volunteering is not employment

Volunteering with The Healing Hubs is not employment. Volunteers are not employees and are not entitled to payment for their time.

Volunteers may claim reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy.

The Healing Hubs does not intend to create a legally binding contract with volunteers, and volunteers are free to stop volunteering at any time.

3. Recruitment and selection

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and walks of life. We are committed to equal opportunities in volunteer recruitment.

All volunteers will be recruited in line with our Safer Recruitment Policy, with Nick Barrett supporting the recruitment process. This includes an application process, informal interview, references, photo ID checks, and a DBS check where required.

All trustees, paid staff, and face-to-face volunteers require an enhanced DBS check. Telephone befriending volunteers require two references and a signed Declaration; an enhanced DBS check is required only if they declare a conviction or pending matter.

We will make reasonable adjustments to enable people with disabilities or other needs to volunteer with us.

4. Induction and training

All new volunteers will receive a structured induction before beginning their role. This will include: an introduction to The Healing Hubs, our mission, and our values; an overview of relevant policies and procedures; role-specific training; and an introduction to their supervisor or key contact.

Volunteers will be provided with ongoing training and development opportunities relevant to their role.

Mandatory training includes safeguarding, lone working (where applicable), and professional boundaries.

5. Support and supervision

Every volunteer will have a named supervisor or key contact within The Healing Hubs.

Volunteers will have regular check-ins with their supervisor to discuss how their volunteering is going, raise any concerns, and receive feedback.

Volunteers are encouraged to raise any concerns or difficulties at any time — they will be listened to and supported.

6. Volunteer responsibilities

In return for our commitment, we ask volunteers to: carry out their role to the best of their ability; follow all relevant policies and procedures; treat service users, colleagues, and the public with dignity and respect; maintain confidentiality; attend agreed sessions and give reasonable notice if unable to do so; and complete required training.

7. Confidentiality

Volunteers must keep all information about service users, colleagues, and the organisation strictly confidential.

Confidential information must not be shared with anyone outside The Healing Hubs, including family members and friends.

The only exception is where there is a safeguarding concern — in which case the volunteer must report the concern to their supervisor or the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately.

It is the policy of The Healing Hubs to refer all safeguarding matters to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy DSL in the first instance. The DSL will decide whether and how to involve outside organisations, including statutory agencies, health services, and third-sector partners. In an emergency, call 999 first, then report to the DSL or Deputy DSL as soon as possible.

8. Health and safety

The Healing Hubs will take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of volunteers.

Volunteers must follow all health and safety guidance and report any concerns, accidents, or near-misses to their supervisor.

9. Recognition

The Healing Hubs values and celebrates the contribution of every volunteer.

We will recognise volunteers through regular thank-you communications, celebration events, and references for future employment or volunteering where appropriate.

10. Ending a volunteering relationship

Volunteers may end their involvement with The Healing Hubs at any time. We ask for as much notice as possible so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

The Healing Hubs may end a volunteering relationship if a volunteer is unable to fulfil their role, if there is a serious breach of policy, or if the role is no longer available.

Any decision to end a volunteering relationship will be handled sensitively and fairly.

11. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually.