friend too obese for volunteer role....how to explain not suitable....!

[earsup]

A volunteer role has popped up at our local fabric recycle centre, people and shops donate rolls and bits, we sort it out and price it up and put on shelves. not a lot of space between shelves and lots of crawling around on floor to retrieve bits and bending. Obese ...sort of friend wants to join us, she is very thick skinned and quite self entitled, I was just thinking of saying that you need to be quite agile for the role and say no more....She wouldn't be able to get between the shelves and wouldn't be able to bend down etc.

Yeah volunteering isn't just turning up to do a good turn you have to be able to manage and be capable for the role,

To be honest the workplace needs to start doing risk assessments, nobody should be crawling at work or squeezing into tight spaces, regardless.

The difference between being morbidly obese to 'just' obese is quite significant

Ive lost a lot of weight, its amazing how much you spring off the sofa and walk easily and completely differently

Most people with that sort of restriction on movement are really alive to it, you dont want to be in situations where you might need to get on the floor or crouch or kneel down (cant kneel down, cant get up off the floor), so it sounds as if she just doesnt realise what the role involves, probably thinks what I would think is that you're just sorting out lots of nice looking fabrics, which I would probablly enjoy

I suppose there is a health and safety aspect, despite not being a paid employee, whoever she would be volunteering for would have a duty of care.
Tell her what the role entails and then take it from there.

Actually, his whole acrobatic agility thing sounds exaggerated, anyway. I can’t imagine work in a fabric recycle centre involving quite that much crawling around on the floor unless people are actually throwing things around for others to pick up — and just how narrow are the spaces between shelves?

Well that doesn't sound safe for anybody

Bit weird that if she can't get off the sofa easily, she would want an active job.

How do any "obese" customers manage? It seems an unsafe space to me .Many disabled people would struggle and they are often prolific helpers.Maybe let her decide?

Maybe you should make some reasonable adjustments so she can do the things for which she is capable . See the ability (not the disability).

Two issues stand out firstly it doesn't come across as though the OP likes the potential volunteer and secondly where are the risk assessments for anyone volunteering as it doesn't sound safe to be tbh.

she is a mutual friend of some one i know, she can have outbursts and be very rude, vile and obnoxious, i think its easier all round to say the role is not available or being withdrawn...i didnt mention the other issues when posting but are relevant.

You tell her what the role involves and assuming she has mental capacity let her make her own decisions.

Maybe she sees it as a step stone to improving her activity levels, health and confidence and may struggle a little at first, but it would be great if everyone could support her. Volunteering should be as much for the benefit of the volunteers as the cause they are volunteering for.

tbh, i think its just attention seeking, she can be very immature, outbursts, rude, obnoxious to get attention. i dont see her as a friend really, just someone i know in a group.

Hmm I wouldn't say that's necessarily true.

We all have to bend down at work and pick things up when tidying or retrieving things from bottom shelves etc.

From the OP's description, this particular fat person has difficulty moving and may struggle with the role or be embarrassed on the trial day. OP is not a bad person for wanting to spare her that.

Just say its been filled , you don't think she's suitable there was no need to mention her weight as a hindrance.

Its not really for other people to prop her up though and try to work around her limitations is it?

Being realistic about someones suitability for a role isn't incompatible with being their friend. It would be silly not to recognize that there might be an issue

As you aren't the only person making the decision op I agree with the suggestion to see how it goes, the other 2 interviewers may come to the same conclusion as you

The place sounds like a fire hazard. The Fire Brigade and local council would help you make it safe. It sounds a very worthwhile enterprise but that does not mean safety of staff and visitors does not matter. Here's some guidance for doing a self assessment. https://www.stakrak.co.uk/shelving-safety-regulations-hse-guidelines/

From my experience as a volunteer manager: please go on a volunteer management course. Your local authority volunteer centre usually offers them.

You need to start interviewing potential volunteers. I suspect her dazzling personality will shine through at interview. It is okay to turn people down.

Surely it's up to her to decide if it's too difficult for her to crawl about and fit between shelves. Surely volunteering should be encouraged.

Is there something else she can do instead?

A volunteer is a volunteer and most people can’t be picky.

Obviously if she can’t fit she can’t do it but is there not something else she could do instead?

I would absolutely say it’s a trial and then if she can’t fit or is rude then be completely honest about why she can’t continue.

Just let her have a go. Ffs. Embrace her enthusiasm. If it doesn't work out, then let her make that decision.

When did volunteering get so selective?!

You don’t speak about her very kindly,and you judge her a lot ,without actually knowing what she is capable of .
you don’t come across as I would expect an actual friend to ..
you know ,like friends support and help each other achieve what they set out to .
a friend would help her fit in ,and find her a way she could be useful without making her feel bad .

I don’t think that last statement is true. Yes, people often volunteer to gain something for themselves - e.g. social interaction, work experience, etc - but the primary purpose is to actually provide useful input, just like in a paid role.