Is there a minimum age for participating in an Employee Engagement Day?

We ask all volunteers to be 18 and over, but if you are seeking an opportunity for apprentices then we can discuss this on a case by case bases so please do still get in touch.

Do my staff require DBS checks to volunteer at the hospice?

No, not for our Employee Engagement Day opportunities. Even if volunteering directly with our service users, your staff will never be left alone with any of our children or family members. The StaR team, other hospice staff or the Corporate Partnership Team will always be present. Equally, volunteers have a responsibility to not leave their assigned task without the knowledge of the STaR team and to take necessary steps to ensure they do not find themselves alone with service users. This will be outlined as part of the morning briefing for the volunteers when they arrive.

There may occasionally be ad-hoc circumstances where DBS checks would be required, but these are rare and would always be discussed with you ahead of time.

If a staff member has been unwell, can they still participate?

Many of the children in our care have weakened immune systems due to their health condition. As such we have to adhere to strict infection control policy to protect these children as much as possible. Due to this, we ask that if any staff member has been unwell in the fortnight prior to their Employee Engagement Day that they contact the Corporate Partnership Team for a phone assessment of whether they can still attend. Please note that especially in the case of sickness, infection, virus or stomach upsets, staff must not visit the hospice.

What facilities are there on site?

We ask volunteers to bring in their own lunch as there are no canteen facilities on site and limited local options. There is plenty of fridge space, plus microwaves and tea and coffee service will be provided across the day. You are also welcome to order food via Uber Eats or other delivery services, it is your responsibility to organise this.  

Is smoking allowed on site? 

There is a designated smoking area on site which volunteers will be directed to. Anyone seen smoking elsewhere on the site will be asked to leave immediately. Richard House operates a strict no-alcohol or drugs policy. 

Do garden volunteers need to bring anything with them?

Volunteers do not need to bring any tools or equipment unless specifically stated on booking. We do advise bringing gardening gloves; volunteers are welcome to use gloves we have in stock but as these are in a used condition many volunteers prefer their own. We would also remind volunteers to dress appropriately for outdoors work and bring sun/wet weather protection as required.

What happens in the event of bad weather?

As the weather forecast is always unpredictable even in Spring/Summer, occasionally an outdoors Employee Engagement Day may have to be postponed or cut short. We do not expect our volunteers to visit in adverse, wet or potentially dangerous weather conditions.

If the weather forecast for your team’s day looks poor and the day is cancelled, we would always endeavour to re-book a different date for you to visit Richard House. If weather causes an outdoor Employee Engagement Day to be cut short, we are unable to offer alternative indoor tasks or activities for the remainder of the day. The option to have a second, replacement Employee Engagement Day booked without an additional donation is dependent on the circumstances and would be discussed on a case by case basis.

What happens if we have to cancel our day?

We understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances may lead to an Employee Engagement Day having to be cancelled or postponed. If you have to cancel your volunteering day and are able to give a month's notice then there will be no charge and we will be happy to try and rearrange for your team to visit at a different time. 

If you are only able to give two week's notice when cancelling your volunteering day, you will be charged 50% of the outlined fee for your day, e.g. £250 for a gardening day. We will still be happy to then rearrange for your team to visit at a different time (full fee will be applicable on any re-bookings). 

If you give less then two week's notice when cancelling your volunteering day, you will be charged 100% of the outlined fee. This is because opportunities such as interacting with our families and gardening are incredibly popular and we do not wish for any days to be lost for other partners who could have attended. Equally, short term cancellation may incur additional cost for Richard House, for instance if alternative activity plans then have to be arranged for a family event. We would still welcome your team back at a different time (full fee will be applicable on any re-bookings).  

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

Richard House is committed to fostering a culture that promotes respect for one another and values diversity. We will not condone, tolerate or ignore any instance of unacceptable or aggressive behaviour that threatens or intimidates anyone on site; whether that be staff, service users or volunteers. We ask that when you volunteer for Richard House you represent our values and report any incident of misconduct to the Corporate Partnership Team straight away.

Safeguarding

Your Employee Engagement Day may involve direct interaction with our service users; from babies and children through to young adults and their family members. Richard House’s priority is our commitment to safeguarding our service users and we have a number of policies in place to ensure this. If you would like further information about this in regards to your Employee Engagement Day, or notice anything on the day that you have questions about, please always speak to the Corporate Partnerships Team who can inform and advise you. As part of your team’s briefing a Richard House representative will also outline some of the safeguarding policies we have in place, particularly surrounding social media representation and photography.

Getting to the Hospice

Our nearest DLR station is Royal Albert, which is approximately a seven minute walk from the gates of Richard House. You can use this DLR line to connect to either Canning Town in 15 minutes (Jubilee line) or Tower Gateway in 25 minutes (District and Circle). Stratford, Waterloo, London Bridge and Bank are then all short journeys on from Canning Town. 

We also have plenty of parking space available on site, you do not need to give your registration details ahead of time. 

Download a Map and Directions to Richard House

Still have some questions, or want to just chat things through? Get in touch with the Corporate Partnerships Team.  

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