Volunteer Terms

Volunteers give their time freely and are not employees. Volunteering is unpaid. Out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed only where they have been approved in advance.

We may ask for references, an interview, and for some roles a police or vulnerable sector check before you begin. Roles involving young people or vulnerable adults always require screening. Volunteers must be 18 or older unless a role says otherwise.

Volunteers are expected to act in line with our values of Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Empowerment and Collaboration. In practice that means:

• Treating everyone we serve with dignity, fairness and respect.
• Keeping the personal information of the people we support confidential, during and after your time with us.
• Following safeguarding guidance, including never being alone with a child or vulnerable adult unless your role has been approved for it.
• Reporting any concern about someone’s safety or wellbeing to your HopeBridge contact straight away.
• Following health and safety instructions at our activities.

Please do not speak on behalf of HopeBridge, raise funds in its name, or post about the people we support without our approval.

We may take photographs at activities. We will ask for your consent before using a photograph of you, and you may decline.

We ask you to finish the commitment you agree to, because the people we support rely on continuity. If you need to stop, please tell us as early as you can. HopeBridge may end a volunteer placement where these terms are not followed.

We use the information you give us to arrange and manage your volunteering, as described in our Privacy Policy.

Questions about this policy can be sent to info@hopebridgecommunity.org.

HopeBridge Community Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.