Volunteer Terms and Conditions
Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before submitting your volunteer application. By applying to volunteer with Last Hope Animal Charity, you agree to the following terms.
1. Introduction
These Terms and Conditions form an agreement between you, the volunteer, and Last Hope Animal Charity.
Last Hope Animal Charity reserves the right to refuse any volunteer application at its discretion.
The charity may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. Updated versions will be posted on the website and volunteers may also be notified through social media or other communication channels. Continued volunteering after updates are posted will indicate acceptance of the revised terms.
2. Volunteer Status
Volunteering with Last Hope Animal Charity is undertaken on a voluntary basis. Volunteers are not employees of the charity and are not entitled to wages, benefits or employment rights. No payment will be made for services provided.3. Equality and Respect
Last Hope Animal Charity is committed to equality and inclusion.
No volunteer shall be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, or membership of the Traveller community.
All volunteers are expected to treat fellow volunteers, members of the public and other organisations with courtesy and respect at all times.
4. Volunteer Responsibilities
By volunteering with Last Hope Animal Charity you agree to:
- Support the welfare and protection of animals at all times.
- Follow the charity’s policies, procedures and guidance.
- Carry out your volunteer role responsibly and to the best of your ability.
- Treat animals with care, patience and respect.
- Behave respectfully towards other volunteers and members of the public.
- Represent the charity in a positive and responsible manner.
Volunteers should also recognise that volunteering activities may require flexibility and that tasks or responsibilities may change depending on circumstances.
5. Health and Safety
Volunteers agree to follow all health and safety guidance provided by the charity, including safe handling of animals and equipment.
Any accident, injury or incident that occurs during volunteering must be reported to the committee or designated coordinator as soon as possible.
Volunteers participate in activities at their own risk and should ensure they are physically capable of undertaking the tasks they volunteer for.
6. Representation of the Charity
Volunteers must not represent Last Hope Animal Charity publicly without prior approval from the committee.
This includes but is not limited to:
- media statements
- collaborations with other organisations
- agreements involving financial or contractual commitments
Minors may not represent the charity without prior committee approval and must be supervised by an adult volunteer at all times.
7. Social Media and Communications
Volunteers must not publish content on social media that could damage the reputation of Last Hope Animal Charity or disclose confidential information relating to the charity, its volunteers, or members of the public.
While volunteering with the charity, volunteers may be added to private communication groups (for example on Facebook or similar platforms). These groups are used for operational communication.
Volunteers may be removed from these groups if they become inactive or cease volunteering.
8. Confidentiality
Volunteers may become aware of confidential information about members of the public, volunteers, or the charity.
This information must not be disclosed to any third party unless:
- required by law
- required for safeguarding or child protection reasons
- authorised by the charity
All confidential documents or materials must be handled carefully and securely.
All written or electronic material created or obtained during volunteering is considered the property of Last Hope Animal Charity and may not be shared without written consent from the charity.
9. Data Protection and Privacy
When registering interest in volunteering, personal information such as your name, address, phone number and email address will be stored securely on the charity’s database.
This information will be used solely for managing volunteer activities and communications.
Personal data will not be shared with third parties without consent unless required by law.
All personal information entrusted to volunteers must be stored safely and securely and used only for its intended purpose. Once no longer required, information must be securely deleted or destroyed.
Volunteers have the right to request access to their personal data and to request correction or deletion in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Further details can be found in the charity’s Privacy Policy:
https://lasthope.ie/privacy-policy/
10. Foster Volunteers
The minimum age for general volunteering is 18 years.
Volunteers who foster animals must be at least 21 years of age.
By agreeing to foster animals for Last Hope Animal Charity, volunteers agree that representatives of the charity may visit their home periodically to check on the animals and their living conditions.
Foster volunteers agree to attend training sessions when offered and to use positive, humane training methods at all times.
11. Charity Property
Any supplies, equipment, documents, funds or other property belonging to the charity must be returned when requested or within a reasonable timeframe following resignation or termination of volunteer duties.
All money received on behalf of the charity must be transferred to the treasurer promptly and no later than 30 days from which it was received.
Volunteers must not accept personal gifts or donations in connection with their role.
12. Travel
Last Hope Animal Charity does not arrange travel for volunteers.
Volunteers are responsible for organising their own travel when participating in charity activities.
Any travel undertaken on behalf of the charity is done at the volunteer’s own risk and the charity accepts no liability for incidents occurring during travel.
13. Insurance and Liability
Volunteers are responsible for ensuring they have appropriate personal insurance where necessary.
Last Hope Animal Charity accepts no responsibility for personal loss, damage, injury or accident that may occur during volunteer activities except where required by law.
Volunteers agree to indemnify and hold harmless Last Hope Animal Charity against claims, losses or damages arising from their intentional misconduct, gross negligence, or breach of these terms.
14. Inactive Volunteers
Volunteers who remain inactive for a period of six months may be considered inactive and removed from volunteer communication systems.
Individuals wishing to return to volunteering may be required to submit a new volunteer application.
15. Suspension or Termination
The committee reserves the right to suspend or terminate a volunteer’s involvement with the charity.
Immediate termination may occur in cases including but not limited to:
- animal abuse or neglect
- illegal activity
- harassment or threatening behaviour
- intoxication or drug use while volunteering
- behaviour that harms the reputation of the charity
For less serious issues, volunteers may receive warnings before termination.
16. Use of Photos and Feedback
By volunteering with Last Hope Animal Charity, you agree that photographs or written feedback you provide may be used by the charity for promotional purposes, including on:
- the charity website
- social media
- newsletters or brochures
If you do not wish for your image or feedback to be used, you should inform the committee.
17. Grievance Policy
Last Hope Animal Charity is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all volunteers, staff, adopters, and supporters. If you have a complaint, concern, or grievance regarding any aspect of your involvement with the charity, you are encouraged to raise it promptly. Grievances should be submitted in writing via email to info@lasthope.ie or by post to our registered address. The committee will acknowledge receipt of your grievance within 5 working days and will investigate the matter fairly and confidentially. We aim to resolve grievances in a timely manner and will communicate the outcome to you as soon as reasonably possible. Retaliation against any individual who raises a grievance in good faith will not be tolerated.
18. Agreement
By completing a volunteer application you confirm that:
- the information you have provided is accurate and truthful
- you have read and understood these Terms and Conditions
- you agree to comply with them
- you are at least 18 years old (or have parental permission if under 18)
If you cannot agree to these Terms and Conditions, we regret that we cannot accept your application to volunteer.
Thank you for supporting Last Hope Animal Charity and helping us improve the lives of animals in need.