Volunteering in Calais- Personal Safety
Personal safety whilst volunteering with us is a high priority. There are certain guidelines all volunteers registered to work with us must adhere to, both for their own personal safety and for the safety of those living in Calais.
Personal safety
volunteers must adhere to, both for their own personal safety and for the safety of those we support.
If you are volunteering and participating in any of the activities with Refugee Community Kitchen, you must understand that you do so at your own risk. The distribution points are not recognised as official service locations, as such the charity is not able to cover you under any insurance policy while working within the field / distribution points. Therefore, you must understand that if you go on distributions you do so at your own risk and you take sole responsibility for your own personal safety and welfare.
As a volunteer with Refugee Community Kitchen you must obtain express permission from the distribution lead, coordinator or manager in order to distribute food.
If you are going on distributions this must be part of a formal distribution and you should have participated in a distribution briefing beforehand. This will enable coordinators to know of your whereabouts and designated task.
Once on distribution, you must ensure you stay with your team members at all times; it is not acceptable to wander round the refugee areas or distribution areas on your own.
It is strictly forbidden to consume alcohol or drugs at any point in the kitchen, during a distribution or at the distribution points. in the warehouse or when representing RCK.
We insist that you do not take photos during distributions. If you are on a Refugee Community Kitchen distribution, you are there to support the residents and service users to make their lives a little more comfortable. Taking photographs is not an ethical way to achieve this unless via an organised photographic project, approved by the communities in advance..
We comply with UK regulations regarding duty of care to children. No adult should be alone with a minor(s) at any time. and any form of physical touch should be avoided unless a parent or guardian is present.
As a volunteer in a caring role it is important that you do not make promises to service users to provide them with items of food, clothing or other support
Please do not provide your personal details to any of the service users and do not disclose the location of the kitchen/ warehouse
We highly recommend that you maintain personal boundaries and behave in a professional way keeping the welfare of the people we serve as a priority, this is not only for your own safety but also of your team members.
Do not talk to the media unless you have been asked to by a coordinator or manager. If you are asked to talk to the media please speak to a manager before doing so.
Whilst inside and on distribution we advise that you keep your personal belongings with you at all times.
Remember, you will be on distribution representing a charity. Please treat everyone as you would wish to be treated. Please also uphold our values of respect and dignity and refrain from any actions that could bring our work into disrepute.
Please treat everyone as you would wish to be treated.
If you do not comply with the above guidelines your volunteering time with us will be terminated immediately.
Personal Safety within Calais town centre
Whilst you are responsible for yourself in Calais, we recommend the following safety precautions when you are in the centre of town and around the warehouse.
Please use the buddy system in and around Calais and the warehouse.
Please do not walk home alone at night on your own, especially when under the influence of alcohol
‘We advise that you are cautious about sharing information about the work you are doing with us in Calais with the people you meet. There are some people in the town who do not agree with what we do here and a small number who could be unpleasant about it.
Do not leave your personal belongings unattended at any of the pubs, clubs or restaurant
Please ensure you park your car in a safe, well-lit area of town. Do not park on side streets or unlit areas.