To drive the Turning Tides van.

Our donations unit is the central point for all physical donations – furniture, food, clothing etc and our van drivers are crucial to supporting us deliver items to our services and clients.

• To drive the Turning Tides van carrying out deliveries and collections of items (including furniture) usually from people’s homes to our storage unit, or one of our Projects.
• This will include lifting and moving items (food crates and furniture) adhering to manual handling policy and using safety aids and with support where needed from the Van Assistant. Therefore, the role does need you to be physically fit and able to carry out these duties.
• To act at all times as a representative of Turning Tides in public, by adhering to the speed limit and all other motoring laws and to show other road users and pedestrians every possible courtesy, including ensuring people can pass by safely when the van is parked.
• To make an assessment, where appropriate, regarding the quality of donated items and only pick up those that meet our guidelines.
• To provide a high level of customer service by being polite and respectful to supporters, and to ensure that items being delivered or collected are handled and transported carefully.
• To contact the office immediately if there are any problems attending a delivery or collection.
• To immediately report to the Donations Coordinator any problems experienced during your volunteer duty such as shortages of fuel, damage to the van or customer complaints.
• To be committed to health and safety by taking precautions when lifting and carrying items as per Manual Handling training.
• To volunteer on a rota basis agreeing to come in at set times, and to give appropriate notice directly to the Donations Coordinator or Volunteer Coordinator if you are unable to attend.
• To record the mileage in the record book at the end of every duty.

Turning Tides offers volunteers training so your time volunteering is the best it can be, is as safe as possible, and of course adds value to your experience and to Turning Tides.

Every volunteer regardless of role will have their initial induction.  During this induction you be taken through our volunteer handbook. The induction will cover Professional Boundaries, Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity and be a chance for you to ask any questions.

All volunteers are provided with a copy of Turning Tides Code of Conduct and are expected to adhere to this throughout all of their volunteering activities.

This role requires the following additional training, and we ask that you can commit to this. (The training is in a variety of formats depending on the subject – a video to watch, a document to read or an online course).

Training: Manual Handling, H & Ssite specific Induction

• Be inclusive and welcoming.
• communicate with staff on duty.
• Enthusiastic and enjoys being part of a busy team.
• Be flexible to the needs of the staff member on duty.
• Abide by the Confidentiality, Professional Boundaries and Health and Safety Policies at all times.
• Fit and able to carry out physical duties such as lifting and moving furniture.
• To be committed to health and safety by taking precautions when lifting and carrying items as per Manual Handling training.
• To immediately report to the Donations Coordinator any problems experienced during your volunteer duty.
• To volunteer on a rota basis agreeing to come in at set times, and to give appropriate notice directly to the Donations Coordinator or Volunteer Coordinator if you are unable to attend.

All of Turning Tides’ roles require applications forms completed and two character references. These references do not need to be employment references, however, we cannot accept references from family members.

If you have any further queries please contact the Isobel on 07749 491285 or volunteering@turning-tides.org.uk