MLHR Volunteer Policy
Recruitment
MLHR is a volunteer led organisation. We depend hugely on the work done by people who volunteer their time and their expertise to help us fulfil our aim of rescuing, rehabilitating, retraining and rehoming the animals who come into our care.We recruit people into the organisation through our online platforms, as well as by word of mouth.Once a person expresses a wish to become a volunteer with us, they fill in a questionnaire and submit this to the Volunteer Coordinator, who then assesses their suitability.The criteria we use are as follows:
We recruit people to work in all sections of the organisation – including:·Administration·Welfare·Rehoming·Equine and animal care on the farms·Media and publicity·Fundraising·Recruitment
Induction and Training of VolunteersAll volunteers who have been accepted into the organisation, will undergo training and induction within MLHR, prior to their starting to work with us. This will include the following:
Work by Volunteers
MLHR is committed to the health and safety of all our volunteers as well as the health and safety of the animals in our care.
We will ensure that all volunteers abide by the Health and Safety Policy of MLHR and are fully acquainted with it.
We will also ensure that we do not allow inexperienced volunteers to handle any of the animals, or put either volunteers or animals in harm’s way during the course of their duties.
General
We will always remember that volunteers are, by definition, with us on a voluntary basis. They are giving up their time and their skills to help MLHR. We will not demand from them that which they cannot give, but while they volunteer with us they will be expected to abide by our policies and practices and to never bring the organisation into disrepute. We will also undertake to treat all volunteers with respect.
If it is found that the volunteer either brings the organisation into disrepute, or commits an illegal act in relation to any of the members of MLHR, or is a disruptive force within MLHR, the management committee reserves the right to bar such a volunteer from all premises and all activities of MLHR.
MLHR is a volunteer led organisation. We depend hugely on the work done by people who volunteer their time and their expertise to help us fulfil our aim of rescuing, rehabilitating, retraining and rehoming the animals who come into our care.We recruit people into the organisation through our online platforms, as well as by word of mouth.Once a person expresses a wish to become a volunteer with us, they fill in a questionnaire and submit this to the Volunteer Coordinator, who then assesses their suitability.The criteria we use are as follows:
- Over the age of 18 (exception for transition year students as well as over 17’s who demonstrate good equine experience)
- A commitment to animal welfare
- Equine experience a plus, but training is available.
- Be willing and capable of working on their own and as part of a team
- Commit to a weekly rota and willing to offer a minimum of four hours per week to the organisation
We recruit people to work in all sections of the organisation – including:·Administration·Welfare·Rehoming·Equine and animal care on the farms·Media and publicity·Fundraising·Recruitment
Induction and Training of VolunteersAll volunteers who have been accepted into the organisation, will undergo training and induction within MLHR, prior to their starting to work with us. This will include the following:
- Time to be spent on one of the farms within our remit;
- A training session with one of our experienced volunteers or employees on all aspects of the work we do – including safe animal handling.
- They will be asked to familiarise themselves with all the policies relating to the work of MLHR which are on our website
- They will then be allocated to work within a particular area of the rescue in accordance with their preferences and abilities
- Every volunteer will also, at the end of their induction period, sign a confidentiality agreement relating to the work they do within MLHR and a statement of training received.
Work by Volunteers
MLHR is committed to the health and safety of all our volunteers as well as the health and safety of the animals in our care.
We will ensure that all volunteers abide by the Health and Safety Policy of MLHR and are fully acquainted with it.
We will also ensure that we do not allow inexperienced volunteers to handle any of the animals, or put either volunteers or animals in harm’s way during the course of their duties.
General
We will always remember that volunteers are, by definition, with us on a voluntary basis. They are giving up their time and their skills to help MLHR. We will not demand from them that which they cannot give, but while they volunteer with us they will be expected to abide by our policies and practices and to never bring the organisation into disrepute. We will also undertake to treat all volunteers with respect.
If it is found that the volunteer either brings the organisation into disrepute, or commits an illegal act in relation to any of the members of MLHR, or is a disruptive force within MLHR, the management committee reserves the right to bar such a volunteer from all premises and all activities of MLHR.
