The Community Taskforce Volunteers (CTV) service is a programme run by Volunteer Edinburgh. Fully trained and insured volunteers are deployed to support individuals in Edinburgh with short term, practically focused tasks where no other form of support is available to the individual.
Community Taskforce Volunteers (CTVs) are able to offer one off or short-term practical support. This support can include:
- Shopping;
- Prescription collection and delivery;
- Post Office mailings;
- Help with light waste management (i.e. taking bin bags to street and recycling);
- Short doorstep chats;
- Accompanying people to appointments or to build their confidence;
- Assistance with foodbank deliveries if no other alternative
The above list is not exhaustive.
CTV support is available to anyone who is not in receipt of other support, for example from friends, family, statutory or third sector provision.
CTV support is one off or short-term support which, at the sole discretion of Volunteer Edinburgh, this may be provided for up to three months in certain circumstances.
CTV support is available to anyone who is impacted by the need to self-isolate because of Covid or for anyone who needs practical support following illness, isolation, mobility issues or hospital discharge.
Volunteer Edinburgh reserves the right to reject, restrict, remove, suspend or terminate the service at any time for any reason without prior notice or liability.
All volunteers have had full induction, training, and reference checking. In addition, all volunteers have had their identity verified using a combination of biometrics and Government Issued ID.
All volunteers have either an official Volunteer Edinburgh issued electronic or physical ID.
All Community Taskforce Volunteers are covered by Volunteer Edinburgh’s public liability insurance while they are undertaking tasks that Volunteer Edinburgh has deployed them to. CTVs are not covered by Volunteer Edinburgh’s insurance if individual arrangements have been made between the volunteer and a third party.
Volunteers are not permitted to share their personal phone numbers with clients. All arrangements and rearrangements must be made through Volunteer Edinburgh on 07958 540 438.
When money is needed to fulfil a task, such as shopping, the volunteer will collect cash or a contactless debit card from the client. Volunteers will return any change, card and receipt to the client after the task has been completed. On occasions, on instruction from the client and with the advance authorisation of Volunteer Edinburgh, a volunteer may withdraw cash from an ATM on behalf of the client. Withdrawal receipts will be provided whenever possible.
Volunteers will use their common sense and discretion when deployed to a task and are instructed to escalate any concerns that they have to Volunteer Edinburgh. In turn Volunteer Edinburgh reserves the right to report concerns to Social Care Direct or another statutory partner as appropriate.
If it appears to be an emergency, then 999 will be called for a welfare check via the police or access to other emergency services.
Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm and Saturday by special request, if this is the only time available to the volunteer.
We require 24 hours' notice to undertake a task though on occasion assistance be offered within a two-hour window though this cannot always be guaranteed.
Following the receipt of a request, we email volunteers in the same postcode as the individual requesting assistance and hope to recruit a volunteer from this pool, if no success we send a further email to a wider area. On receipt of the confirmation that a volunteer is available we call the individual to let them know the name of the volunteer and when they may be able to undertake the task.
The referral agency, or individual must ensure that as much information as possible is shared with Volunteer Edinburgh to minimise the risk to the volunteer and ensure the correct delivery of support.
Across Edinburgh from EH1 to EH17 and in addition EH30.
For details of Volunteer Edinburgh’s general Terms of Service please visit: https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/terms-of-service/