Our committed team of volunteers are the backbone of the RMBF. Without them we could not continue to make a difference to the lives of doctors, medical students and their families in times of crisis and serious need. Having a network of dedicated and caring volunteers allows us to provide this support wherever and whenever our help is needed across the UK.
We have a duty of care to our volunteers to look after all aspects of their health and safety while they are volunteering for us, to ensure that they feel comfortable and that their volunteering experience with us proceeds as smoothly as possible. This handbook covers appropriate health and safety issues as well as practical tips on your chosen volunteering role and relevant RMBF policies and procedures.
Voting rights as a volunteer
As a volunteer not only can you help us to provide support for doctors, medical students and their families, you also have the opportunity to shape the future of the RMBF with the right to speak and vote at the AGM. This is not a requirement, but rather a chance to influence how the RMBF develops. At the AGM, volunteers are referred to as Voting Members.
Insurance
You are covered by the RMBF’s insurance policy in the event of physical injury or accident occurring during the course of activities being undertaken on behalf of the RMBF. Should it be necessary to make a claim, the office must be notified immediately.
Please note you must tell your car insurer that you occasionally drive on charity business in a volunteering role. Your premium should not go up. If it does, please contact the RMBF.
As part of our duty of care under Health and Safety legislation, we have to ask everyone who uses their car whilst volunteering for the RMBF to have a valid driving licence, tax disc and an up to date MOT for cars over three years old. Suitable breakdown cover is recommended.
Expenses
Reasonable expenses incurred on the RMBF’s behalf for travelling, postage and phone calls will be reimbursed. Claim forms are downloadable from the RMBF website and are available from the Head of Volunteering. Expenses are paid directly by BACS.
We do encourage you to claim your expenses, as this helps to give a realistic picture of the full cost of providing financial support to our beneficiaries. You are welcome to gift aid the money back to the RMBF.
We do ask that, when attending an RMBF event (e.g. training, the AGM), volunteers try to book transport as early as possible to obtain the most economical fare available. We will reimburse you should you unavoidably have to cancel your trip, or if the meeting or event is cancelled. In such a case, please try to arrange when possible for the operator to refund your ticket.
Claim forms should be submitted via the Head of Volunteering and supported by receipts, or other proof of payment, for items over £10. Receipts for individual items under £10 should be included if available.