How much time you give depends on your role, your project and your availability. Regular attendance is important to us so that we can ensure that our activities operate smoothly and efficiently and keep our projects on track to deliver results.
We hope that volunteers will make every effort to attend and arrive on time, but understand that unexpected events may on occasion prevent this from happening. If you are unable to attend on a certain day, please inform your volunteer supervisor as soon as possible so that alternative arrangements can be made.
We ask you to:
- Respect our aims and values
- Perform your volunteering role and project responsibilities as outlined in your volunteer agreement and role description to the best of your ability and to attend all ongoing training required
- Maintain good relations with other volunteers, our staff and our users
- Read and adhere to relevant policies and procedures, brought to your attention in your induction
- Work safely, both for your own sake and others
- Not commit The National Archives to any expenditure other than reasonable travel expenses
- Keep in touch with your volunteer supervisor, informing them if your contact details change
- Give reasonable notice if you are unable to attend so that we can make other arrangements
- Provide regular feedback, including at the end of the project or your time with us.
We recognise that as a volunteer you have offered your time freely, and as a result we will not enforce any obligations that would normally be found in an employment contract. We do not expect volunteers to attend, carry out certain tasks or commit a minimum amount of time, although we expect volunteers to help us planning our projects by making reliable arrangements of attendance with your volunteer supervisor.
Likewise we will not provide regular work or payment for any volunteer activity carried out.
Security
Most of our volunteer work is behind the scenes at The National Archives, in staff areas that cannot normally be accessed by members of the public.
Your project may require you to be security cleared – if this is the case, we will ask you to complete a form and provide various items of identification. Successful checks are usually confirmed within a month, although this occasionally takes longer.
If your project requires access to our IT network and systems, we will ensure that you receive appropriate training to enable you to carry out your role and responsibilities. This will include an element of data security training. Normally we will not provide you with a National Archives email account.
Health and safety
We are committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of our volunteers. We want to make sure that you are aware of and understand the health and safety risks associated with your role. We will provide you with the appropriate information, instruction, supervision and training required to enable you to work safely while volunteering at The National Archives.
As a volunteer you must:
- Take reasonable care of yourself and others
- Follow the health and safety policy and procedures of The National Archives
- Cooperate fully with your supervisor
- Report on any health and safety concerns you may have
- Report any accidents/incidents you have while on the premises.
We do not place an upper age limit on volunteers because we recognise the valuable contribution made by all of our volunteers. However, we would be irresponsible to permit volunteers to continue beyond a point where volunteering is detrimental to their own or other people’s health and safety.
For certain tasks and activities we may require a minimum age of 16.
If you have a disability or medical condition, you should disclose this to your volunteer supervisor. This will help us to better ensure your health and safety at work and allow us to consider any reasonable adjustments, such as equipment or support, which you may need to fulfil your role to the best of your ability.
Smoking
In line with current legislation, smoking is not permitted within The National Archives’ buildings.
Designated smoking areas are available; please ask your volunteer supervisor for directions. You will be able to arrange suitable breaks with your supervisor.
Volunteering while claiming benefits
Volunteering can often improve your job prospects by providing useful work experience and training. You can continue to claim benefits, as long as you do not receive any money for the work you do (not including travel expense claims).
If you are unemployed and claiming Jobseekers Allowance, you should tell your Jobcentre and benefits adviser that you intend to volunteer before starting. Your allowance should not be affected, provided you can show you are still actively seeking paid work, can be contacted quickly about job opportunities, can attend an interview within 48 hours and can start a job within a week. However, please check with your job centre, as The National Archives cannot be held responsible for any losses you may have.