Charity shop volunteers

[Dogmatix34]

My mum is 77 and normally works in a charity bookshop once a week. She said she had had a call from the manager which I presumed would be to say thanks for everything but obviously you can’t come back but no, it was to say they were busy cleaning and hoping to get back up and running soon. I’ve told my mum I feel very unhappy at the thought of her working there in such a public facing role but I’m not sure she gets it. My sister feels less strongly about it than me and thinks it’s something she loves. Don’t charities have a duty of care to their 70+ volunteers? Or should it be up to the individual to judge for themselves?

Or should it be up to the individual to judge for themselves?

Your mum is 77, surely old enough to make this decision for herself. Though i do understand why you'd be concerned.

Yes, they do.

They should follow the same advice as given to employers of people in the vulnerable group.

Yes, I know she should be able to make her own choice but I also feel the shop has a duty of care.

So do you want the Charity to refuse to let your mum return because of their duty of care?
No one is forcing her back, can't she do her own risk assessment, like she does every time she gets in a car?

My DH is 72 and manages 2 Charity shops, they cant tell people they cant work, however the measures being out into place in terms of screens, social distancing, PPE etc are very strict to ensure the safety of volunteers, staff and customers, the duty of care they are taking is part of that and it will be up to individual people if they want to work.

I wouldn't want my mum in there either, but maybe it's the one small thing that keeps her going?

I'm a charity shop volunteer and will be returning as soon as the shop reopens. The charity I volunteer with has made it clear that they are leaving it up to volunteers whether or not they wish to return. We already had gloves to use if we wished, and aprons and they will be providing masks if we wish to use those too.

But many of my older colleagues get so much out of their experience and won't want to give that up. It should absolutely be left up to the individual.

Thanks for the responses. I think I’ve been surprised as my dad who volunteers for another charity (Red Cross) was told straight away that no over 70s could return. Maybe I’m over reacting. It is her decision it’s just that knowing her she will feel a duty to go back.

Yes they shouldn't be asking her back in if she feels duty bound, more asking how she feels etc

Aren't the over 70s in the clinically vulnerable category and recommended to go out just for a walk once a day still (and obviously for essentials if they don't have anyone to shop for them) until the end of June. I think it's unreasonable to ask anyone over 70 to return back to their role until at least this date. The first week is going to be hectic, more donations (which have obviously got to be handled carefully and quaranteened). Even if customers are limited, she's going to have quiet a few who don't care about the 2m rule.

I would probably ring the guy in confidence he might not have raised her age, and talk about the situation.

@Orangeblossom78

Yes they shouldn't be asking her back in if she feels duty bound, more asking how she feels etc

No-one will put pressure on the over 70s to come in if they don't want to, most of the high street charity shops like BHF, Salvation Army, AgeUK will be following the guidelines set out by the Charity Retail Association the only thing they have said about is this .

Clinically vulnerable individuals If clinically vulnerable individuals cannot work from home, they should be offered the option of the safest available on-site roles, enabling them to stay 2 metres away from others.

Before lockdown my husbands charity did say no over 70s could work, they had to change their minds as it could be construed as age discrimination and agreed they couldn't stop people from working or volunteering if they wish to.

I work for a service that is run by volunteers. Most of our volunteers are over 70. We have asked who is willing to come back, about 20% are happy. 80% not coming back until they feel safe. We aren’t putting our volunteers in direct contact with customers of the service.

We never expected the volunteers to come back as their role is voluntary! The don’t have to do it and understandably are putting their health first.

No-one will put pressure on the over 70s to come in if they don't want to,

This is why I wondered does he know her age?

I would probably ring the guy in confidence he might not have raised her age, and talk about the situation.

Dreadful advice!

Um, thanks. Can you explain why?

starfish4. The vulnerable group have always been able to go out the same number of times as the rest of us (unless shielding in the extremely vulnerable group)
They do have to be extra careful with distancing etc but that’s the same for everyone

I wonder what will happen with National Trust properties? The room wardens or whatever they may be called all seem to be over 70.

It might be dreadful advice but my sister has done it! He said she was under no pressure to go back and seems like it won’t be happening for a while. She would kill us if she knew but she has lots of other hobbies/ friends and I just feel this is a risk too far.

Good

I’d be livid if I was your mum! Totally unreasonable to try to dictate what she does by going behind her back like that

You’ve just treated your mother like a baby in a controlling way and gone behind her back. Shame on you for interfering. If my DDs ever did this to me, I would be furious. It’s infantilising your mum. It’s not acceptable as you do not have any right to do this.

What Skelington said. Respect her right to make decisions.

Please bear this thread in mind when you next try to drop all your stuff off and find that Oxfam is only open 12-3, or Cancer Research is only open on Saturday.

Most charity shops need at least two people in the shop at any time, for safety. In the shop I help in, move half of our volunteers are over 70, or have health issues. If they don't come back, we just won't be able to cover all the shifts. We're constantly juggling shifts as it is and ill get regular calls asking me if I can swap my thursday morning for a tuesday afternoon or whatever. It's really hard to get volunteers who will get stuck in, and be reliable.

On the other hand, if you or your teens are at a loose end over the summer, you know what to do!

The manager will have to do a risk assessment anyway and I would imagine do what can be done to make her as safe as possible.

But unless you have power of attorney over her health, you shouldn’t call in and he shouldn’t have discussed her with you without her permission.