RCK Code of Conduct and 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 all the people we serve.
Personal safety at RCK and on distribution
If you are working in the field to carry out any of the work outlined with Refugee Community Kitchen, you must understand that you do so at your own risk. Therefore, you must understand that if you go out on distributions you do so at your own risk and you take sole responsibility for your own personal safety and welfare.
As a volunteer registered to work with RCK, you must obtain express permission from the manager, volunteer coordinator or distribution coordinator in order to distribute food.
Before leaving the kitchen to go on distributions you must check in with the volunteer coordinator, so they can make a note 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 off areas on your own during a distribution. Volunteers do not have permission from RCK to be in the theses areas other than at distribution times
It is strictly forbidden to consume alcohol anywhere in the Kitchen or in the field.
If you are on a Refuge community kitchen distribution you are there to help the residents and to make their lives a little more comfortable.
Taking photographs whilst on distribution is not allowed.
We comply with UK regulations regarding duty of care to children. No adult should be alone with a minor(s) at any time.
Any form of physical touch should be avoided at all times.
As a volunteer in a caring role it is important that you do not make personal promises to the people we serve to provide them with items of food, clothing or support
Please do not provide your personal details to any of the service users and do not disclose the location of the kitchen.
We highly recommend that you maintain personal boundaries.
Do not talk to the media unless you have been asked to by a coordinator/manager.
Whilst inside on distribution we advise that you keep your personal belongings with you at all times.
Remember, you will be on distribution representing the charity. So please do you best to 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 not better.
RCK reserves the right to ask volunteers to leave if they are disrespecting this criteria .
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 town who do not agree with what we do here and a small number who can be unpleasant about this’ or similar.
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.