New community toolkit launched as Government unveils public services reform
For immediate release: Monday 11th July 2011
People are holding back from volunteering in their community by misplaced fears about red tape and legal pitfalls.
That’s the message from leading public sector insurer Zurich, ahead of the announcement of the Government’s Open Public Services White Paper later today. In tandem with the reform, the insurer is today launching a new online hub to make getting involved in community activities simpler and help prevent overblown myths surrounding bureaucracy from hindering a generation of would-be volunteers.
With only a third (29%) of people regularly volunteering on an informal
basis* – and even fewer taking part in formal, voluntary roles – Zurich believes a better understanding of how to set up community activities could unlock the ‘uninspired’ majority, and more than double current levels of community engagement.
Heeding the Government’s calls to help break-down the barriers to people doing their bit, the insurer is launching its Community Toolkit – www.communitytoolkit.co.uk – a free online resource providing information and guidance to individuals and small groups who want to set up and start their own straightforward community activities.
It includes some practical hints and tips on the legal, health & safety, planning and insurance considerations of running community initiatives. It also features a useful tool to create a free personalised ‘Community Toolkit Pack’ to help people get started on a wide range of activities.
Paul Emery, head of community and social organisations at Zurich, said:
“The Government has made it clear in today’s white paper that it would like us to get more involved in our communities and we know that communities themselves are keen to do so, but perceptions of ‘compensation culture’ and bureaucracy are holding us back. This was a key conclusion of Lord Hodgson's ‘Unshackling Good Neighbours’ report, to which we were pleased to contribute our views concerning the need to remove barriers to these activities.
“The truth is direct, personal involvement in community life – whether it’s picking litter, running a book club or helping an elderly neighbour – won’t burden you with loads of paperwork and hassle. Absolutely, people need to be protected and informed if they intend to take a more active part in their communities, but they shouldn’t assume that getting involved means getting lumbered – the reality of volunteering is less about bureaucracy and much more about reward.”
To help people embark on their volunteering journey, Zurich highlights its Top 5 most persistent volunteering myths:
1. Myth: Health and safety legislation applies to all community activities
Fact: The main health & safety legislation in the UK is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which falls under criminal law and is primarily aimed at protecting people at work.
Individual volunteers or small volunteer groups which do not employ people or have control of premises cannot be prosecuted under this Act.
2. Myth: I have to conduct a risk assessment for every community activity I arrange
Fact: While risk assessment is a legal obligation for employers and the self-employed (under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974) not all organisers of community activities will need to conduct one.
However, it can be useful to conduct a risk assessment to demonstrate you have considered your duty of care sufficiently. The Community Toolkit could help you
identify where formal assessment is required and where it is not will offer best practice to help make your activity as safe as possible.
3. Myth: I need to buy special insurance to get involved in volunteering
Fact: You may already be covered for certain activities under your personal car or home insurance policy, for example if you are using your own car to shop for an elderly neighbour. As a rule, check with your insurance provider first and tell them of your plans – they can then advise whether you are covered or whether you would need additional cover.
4. Myth: Setting up community activities is time consuming
Fact: In a Zurich survey nearly two thirds (62%)** of people said they would be unlikely to volunteer to help community organisations deliver local services due to time constraints. In reality, it need not be onerous or time-consuming, but very rewarding. Many volunteers are able to offer as much – or little – time as they like, depending on their other commitments.
5. Myth: I’ll be held liable if anything goes wrong
Fact: While you cannot be held liable under criminal law (which does not apply for activities where no one is employed or where you do not control premises), organisers of any activity have a duty of care to people taking part in, or affected by, that activity.
This means that in the rare case that something goes wrong (i.e. a person is injured or their property damaged), the organiser may be liable for a breach to their duty of care, but only if they have been negligent. For most activities, sensible planning and a common-sense approach will guard against this.
Zurich’s Community Toolkit has even more tips and guidance to help people set up volunteer projects smoothly and safely.
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