Guidance

Volunteering embodies a spirit of generosity and community contribution and that contribution is highly valued by organisations and the community. Unlike employees or workers, volunteers who gift their time freely, operate without a formal contract of employment and so they do not have employment rights or obligations. Volunteers do have rights as individuals, which might apply to situations they face in their volunteer roles.

Private enterprises and employers have always engaged with their communities and supported charitable activity, doing much more than just donating funds. Indeed many charities have been founded by business people and the experience and skills of professionals who choose to volunteer is often at the heart of charity governance and operations.