Staying safe

Do Something is powered by vinspired.com, helping young people to do good things. At vinspired, we want to ensure that you enjoy your volunteering experience, and stay safe throughout.

Here are some top tips to ensure that you stay safe while volunteering:

1. It’s your choice

   The great thing about volunteering is that you can choose what tasks or activities you undertake, and what feels right for you. Choose tasks and activities that you’ll enjoy and feel comfortable doing.

2. Know your limits

   It’s important that you know your limits and undertake tasks that you are able to perform. Don’t be a hero – getting injured or putting yourself in an unsafe situation is bad for you, and won’t help your cause.

3. Sharing personal details

   Think carefully before sharing your personal details, such as your address, email and telephone number, with others. Remember that people may not be who they say they are. If you’re under 18, check with a parent / guardian or carer before sharing your personal information with anyone else.

4. Meet in a public place

   If you are meeting up with an individual or group for the purposes of setting up a project, always meet in a public place. Community buildings or coffee shops are great meeting points – and will ensure that everyone can get involved.

5. Bring a friend

   If you’ve decided to do some volunteering, why not bring a friend? If you are under 18, ask your parent / guardian or carer to come with you the first time, otherwise go along with a friend or group of friends. If you’re organizing or leading your own activity, let others know where you’re going and how long you’ll be.

6. Check for hazards

   When you’re volunteering, try to ensure the environment is as safe as possible. Ensure there’s good lighting, and that there are no slip or trip hazards. If you’re using equipment, make sure you’ve received training beforehand from a responsible person, so you know how to use it safely.

7. Wear the right clothing

   Think about what kind of volunteering you’ll be doing, and ensure you choose sensible clothing and footwear. If you’ll be outside for long periods of time, ensure you wrap up warmly. If you’ll be out after dark, ensure you wear brightly colored clothing so that you can be seen easily.

8. Communicate

   If you have any concerns or any incidents during an activity, let someone responsible know. Talk to your parent, a responsible adult, or a volunteer co-ordinator to share your concerns.

9. Trust your gut

   Some people have an instinctive sense of danger. It's important to listen to your instincts. If you have a bad feeling about something or it just doesn't feel right, don't do it. Tell your parent/ guardian/ carer or other responsible person if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried.