Community Care Volunteering Safety Notice
Added: 20/04/2020
VAL
A notice from Voluntary Action Leeds on volunteer safety and fraud prevention
Following an increase in fraudulent activity during the coronavirus outbreak, we want to ensure volunteers and people receiving support are as safe as possible.
Please note the following safety advice, for anyone receiving help from volunteers through the Community Care Programme and via community hubs across the city.
- Community Care volunteers will all carry an ID badge and/or a letter from Leeds City Council and should be able to present these on arrival
- Our community hubs will contact individuals requiring support before a volunteer calls or helps in any way
- Volunteers will not ask you for payment — they do not handle or exchange any money
- Our volunteers will not come into your home
- They should not ask for any personal details from you
Volunteers in the programme will have a letter from Leeds City Council, which they should be able to show on arrival. This contains a phone number people receiving support can call to verify the identity of the volunteer if there are any concerns.
All volunteers working within the programme will be provided with the West Yorkshire Trading Standards scam alert guide, to help spot and deal with potential scams.
Voluntary Action Leeds is also providing organisations and community hubs involved in coordinating volunteers, with a checklist of top tips and best practice for fraud prevention. If you would like to receive a copy of the checklist for organisations, please email volunteering@val.org.uk.
For more information about how to stay safe in general, please refer to our Being a Good Neighbour Pack which offers advice across a range of areas from staying safe online to financial safety. The pack contains a list of local services and contact details for anyone with concerns.