VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT
The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) values and appreciates our Volunteers. We recognise the benefits to individual volunteers are significant and include connecting with others, socialising, greater nature connection as well as physical and psychological wellbeing, and are committed to do the best we can to make your volunteering experience a positive and rewarding one.
This document expresses our commitment to you and what we ask from you in return. It applies to all South Downs National Park Volunteers and any other volunteer working directly with the South Downs National Park Authority.
The SDNPA will:
• Welcome you and provide appropriate opportunities for you to volunteer and develop your interests, knowledge, skills and experience, while contributing to the Purposes of the South Downs National Park (see below).
• Treat you and all volunteers with equity, fairness and respect.
• Ensure you have appropriate induction, training, guidance and support throughout your volunteering.
• Ensure you have as safe a working environment so far as is reasonably practicable, by adhering to all relevant SDNPA policies and procedures, and providing you with the tools, equipment and clothing necessary for your role.
• Provide opportunities for you to give feedback on your time as a volunteer and the service as a whole
• Regularly review the Volunteer Service so that we develop and improve.
• Recognise you are a volunteer and have other commitments
As a South Downs National Park Volunteer we ask you to:
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect, including other volunteers, SDNPA staff and members of the public
• Undertake all training required for the role
• Adhere to relevant policies and standards, including Health and Safety, Risk assessments, Safeguarding, EDI, Clothing Provision and organisational values.
• Always act with the best interests of the South Downs National Park, its priorities and Duty (see below)
• Inform us if there are any changes to your health or circumstances that may affect your ability or involvement in your volunteering role(s) or if you wish to suspend or stop your volunteering us.
• Using our systems to ensure your attendance on a task is up to date, i.e. either signing up for or cancelling your space prior to the task taking place.
South Downs National Park Purposes
Purpose 1 – To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area.
Purpose 2 – To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park by the public.
South Downs National Park Authority Duty To seek to foster the social and economic well-being of the local communities within the National Park in pursuit of our purposes.
