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<p>Volunteering is critical to a vibrant and resilient civil society; it benefits
volunteers and the organisations involving them and has transformational impacts on
beneficiaries and their communities.</p><p>This Government is committed to enabling
people to take part in all forms of social action, including volunteering. We know
the profound benefit that volunteering has on the individual, on communities and on
society.</p><p>Volunteers do not have a contract of employment as a volunteer, so
do not have the same rights as an employee or worker, and are not placed under the
same obligations. However, they will usually be given a volunteer agreement that explains:</p><ul><li><p>the
level of supervision and support they will get</p></li><li><p>what training they will
get</p></li><li><p>whether they are covered under the organisation’s employer or public
liability insurance</p></li><li><p>health and safety issues</p></li><li><p>any expenses
the organisation will cover.</p></li></ul><p>The volunteer agreement is not a contract,
but it is a good way of setting out what volunteers can expect from the organisation
they are volunteering for. You can find information about this at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/volunteering/pay-and-expenses"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/volunteering/pay-and-expenses</a>. The National
Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) also has information on<a href="https://knowhownonprofit.org/people/volunteers/keeping/treating"
target="_blank"> volunteers’ legal status</a> and guidance on solving volunteer problems.</p><p>If
a volunteer believes they are treated unfairly, there is recourse available to them
through a variety of means. Volunteers for charities are able to raise concerns to
the Charity Commission. The Health and Safety Executive, Disclosure and Barring Service,
and the Information Commissioner's Office are also useful points of contact.</p><p>
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