Introduction

Beat SCAD is a patient-led, volunteer-run charity founded in November 2015 to raise awareness of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), support those affected, and fund critical research into this rare/uncommon heart condition.

Volunteers are at the heart of Beat SCAD. Their time, energy, skills, and professional expertise play a central role in delivering our charitable aims. Our volunteer-led approach ensures that our services remain grounded in lived experience and responsiveness to the needs of our community.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out Beat SCAD’s approach to involving and supporting volunteers. It provides a framework for the effective and respectful engagement of volunteers in all areas of the charity’s work.

This policy aims to:

  • Affirm the value that Beat SCAD places on volunteers and their contribution.
  • Outline the principles that guide volunteer involvement.
  • Ensure a consistent and supportive approach to volunteer recruitment, induction, development, and recognition.
  • Promote a mutually beneficial experience for both the charity and its volunteers.

Scope

This policy applies to all individuals who volunteer their time, skills, or expertise in support of Beat SCAD, including those engaged in:

  • Awareness raising and campaigning
  • Peer support or community engagement
  • Administrative, technical, or professional roles
  • Events, fundraising, or project-based work

It covers all stages of the volunteer journey, including recruitment, induction, training, supervision, and, where applicable, ending a volunteering arrangement.

While this policy is not intended to create a contractual relationship, it sets out clear expectations and best practices for both Beat SCAD and its volunteers to ensure a positive, safe, and rewarding experience for all.

Principles

This Volunteering Policy is underpinned by the following principles:

  • Beat SCAD will ensure that volunteers are properly integrated into the organisational structure and that mechanisms are in place for them to contribute to Beat SCAD’s work
  • Beat SCAD recognises that volunteers require satisfying work and personal development and will seek to help volunteers meet these needs, as well as providing the training for them to do their work effectively.

Recruitment

All prospective volunteers will be interviewed to find out what they would like to do, their skills, suitability and how best their potential might be realised. 

Volunteer agreements and voluntary work outlines

Each volunteer will have a volunteer agreement establishing what Beat SCAD undertakes to provide them and a written outline of the specific work they will be undertaking which we will ask each volunteer to agree to.  This document is not a contract. 

Expenses

Volunteers may request reimbursement of reasonable expenses such as travel costs. Please see Expenses Policy.

Induction and training

Depending on the volunteer role and project involvement, volunteers may receive an induction into Beat SCAD and their own area of work. Training will be provided as appropriate.

Support

All volunteers will have a named person as their main point of contact. They will be provided with regular supervision to feedback on progress, discuss future development and air any problems.

Note: Volunteering with Beat SCAD is a voluntary and flexible arrangement, and we recognise that volunteers may need to step away from their role at any time due to changing personal circumstances, work commitments, health, or other reasons. This also applies to the trustees, who may be the main contact. It is essential for each party to communicate clearly regarding availability. An additional/back-up contact may be assigned to provide support, if necessary.

The volunteer’s voice

Volunteers are encouraged to express their views about matters concerning Beat SCAD and its work and feed back to their Beat SCAD contact.

Social media

Volunteers are expected to ensure that any information or opinions shared via personal social media accounts are not in conflict with the Beat SCAD brand or Social Media Policy. Confidentiality and data protection must be respected.

Insurance

All volunteers are covered by Beat SCAD’s insurance policy (Public Liability, Employers Liability) whilst they are engaged in work on Beat SCAD’s behalf.

Health and safety

Beat SCAD are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of volunteers whilst engaged in work on Beat SCAD’s behalf. We expect our volunteers to contribute to maintaining a safe working environment.

It’s important that volunteers:

  • Carry out duties without endangering their health and safety or that of colleagues, third parties and/or the general public
  • Comply with all relevant instructions and procedures relating to safety and follow guidance provided by Beat SCAD
  • Inform their Beat SCAD contact of any concerns or personal health and safety requirements that they may have

Equal opportunities

Beat SCAD aim to recruit volunteers with the skills, knowledge and experience appropriate for each role or task and to ensure equal opportunity for all. Beat SCAD will not condone, tolerate or ignore any form of discrimination or unacceptable behaviour.

Problem solving

We aim to identify and solve problems at the earliest possible stage. If volunteers experience a difficulty with any aspect of their role, we ask that they speak to their Beat SCAD contact as soon as possible for advice and support. All efforts will be made to reach a mutually acceptable solution.

Confidentiality

Volunteers must maintain confidentiality at all times. This means that confidential information about people we support, volunteers and our work is kept private, unless sharing this information is required by law.

Financial information

Volunteers may have responsibility to handle money and /or make purchases on behalf of Beat SCAD and this may involve having access to financial information, which must be kept secure and confidential at all times.

Fraud, bribery and corruption

Beat SCAD has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards fraud, bribery and corruption. It will always seek to take disciplinary and /or legal action against those found to have perpetrated, been involved in, or assisted with fraudulent or other improper activities.

Volunteers must act honestly and with integrity at all times and to safeguard the resources for which they are responsible. Volunteers must immediately report any suspected or actual instances of fraud, bribery or corruption to a trustee. 

Data protection

Before we can collect, store, or use data about an individual, the law requires us to ensure that we have that individual’s consent to do so. We will ask you to sign a Data Protection Statement which complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2016/679. This is a legal act that protects people’s personal information.

Volunteers may have access to and handle the personal information of the people they are helping. It’s vital that they are aware of our policy, which their Beat SCAD contact can provide.

Ending a Volunteering Arrangement

Volunteering with Beat SCAD is a voluntary and flexible arrangement, and we recognise that volunteers may need to step away from their role at any time due to changing personal circumstances, work commitments, health, or other reasons.

We ask that volunteers give as much notice as possible if they intend to end their involvement, so we can plan accordingly and, if necessary, ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.

Similarly, there may be occasions where Beat SCAD needs to bring a volunteering arrangement to an end. This may happen if: 

  • The volunteer role is no longer required
  • The arrangement is no longer mutually beneficial
  • There is a concern about conduct, performance, or a breach of policy

In such cases, we will seek to handle the matter sensitively, respectfully, and in line with our values. We will always aim to provide clear communication and, where appropriate, offer feedback or a conversation to discuss any concerns.

Volunteers who leave are encouraged to complete an informal exit discussion or provide feedback to help us improve the volunteer experience.

We are deeply grateful for the time, skills, and energy that all volunteers contribute to Beat SCAD and thank them for their support, regardless of the length of their involvement.