Westminster City Council - Volunteering Do’s and Don’ts

In the first instance if you need help or you know of anyone who needs help as a result of COVID-19, send the details to westminsterconnects@westminster.gov.uk or phone us on 020 7641 1222 (8am to 10pm, 7 days a week).

The following are guidelines for volunteers providing support during this time.

DO’S:

1. Do follow social distancing guidelines when completing volunteering tasks. This includes being 2m away from others and washing hands as regularly as possible. Only carry out duties if you can do safely and securely. Up to date information can be found on the Government website here – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
   
2. Do seek help if you are worried about someone’s condition. If you become worried at any point that someone is in immediate danger or risk please contact 999. For non-life-threatening help then please contact NHS on 111 for assistance.
3. Do be aware of any warning signs and escalate to the appropriate teams within the council. For example, any signs of abuse.
   • If you are concerned about an adult who you think requires social care and support or you have a safeguarding concern, phone 020 7641 1444 or 020 7641 1175 or email: adultsocialcare@westminster.gov.uk
   • If you are concerned about a child and you have a safeguarding concern, phone: 0207 641 4000 or email AccesstoChildrensServices@westminster.gov.uk
4. Do be attentive, approachable, reassuring and actively listen when talking to clients. This is a stressful and anxious time for everybody. Acknowledge you understand how difficult this time may be and make it clear that they are able to access services to support them.
5. Do gather necessary information from the client in order to provide appropriate assistance. For example, if the client is facing housing issues, unemployment, financial difficulty this can be addressed and signposted correctly through the Westminster Connects service.
6. Do respect confidentiality unless there is a major safeguarding concern and then take action (see point 3). Client details should only be shared with specialist services/the council if they need to be referred. Any other interactions should not be shared with others.

DON’TS:

1. Do not complete any volunteering duties (out of the house) if you or anyone in your household is showing any Covid-19 symptoms. This includes a fever and new persistent cough. For the latest information on symptoms please see the NHS website here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms-and-what-to-do/
   
2. Do not promote or share information that does not come from a trusted source. For example, NHS, GOV.UK, WHO, Public Health England are all reliable sources of information, whatsapp chains, Facebook links etc. are not
3. Do not share your personal information with clients. Only personal information necessary to complete the volunteering task should be shared. Do not give out any financial information or offer to lend money.
4. Do not carry out volunteering duties if you feel unsafe. You should not be entering people’s homes or vehicles, you should not be closer than 2m from clients, you should not be working during the night and you should be spending as short a time outside as possible.