Corporate Volunteer Days: FAQs 

Why does Chailey Heritage Foundation ask for a financial contribution to run volunteer days? 

Where companies are looking to bring a group to volunteer with us, but are not in a position to support the charity through other means (such as through employee fundraising, or corporate support), we request a contribution of £300 per company per volunteer day. These funds enable us to ensure we can dedicate the time into planning your day and ensure that your staff have the best experience possible. The funds can also help us fund the resources for the task you will be carrying out e.g. for purchasing compost for a gardening project. Once we have received this, your volunteer day is confirmed.

How many people can volunteer on one day? 

We can accommodate any group size between five and eight. It is helpful if you can let us know exact numbers a week ahead of your volunteer day.

What kind of tasks might our team do? 

Your team could be assisting us in a range of ways, from helping out on our therapeutic farm, Patchwork Farm to painting our storage buildings with timber preservative or assisting with the upkeep of our grounds.

What about health and safety? 

Your safety is important to us. When volunteering with us, please follow the guidance given by our staff and please don’t carry out any tasks or use any equipment if you feel unsafe. Please be aware that you are volunteering at your own risk. If you would like a copy of our risk assessment, please ask. You are also welcome to carry out your own risk assessment prior to the event if necessary.

When will all the details be confirmed? 

We will aim to confirm a date as soon as possible. We will then aim to send you a detailed volunteer brief at least two weeks before your volunteer day. However, we generally request that volunteers arrive for 9.15am and are prepared to stay until 4pm.

What should we do about lunch? 

Our on-site café, GK’s, is a great place to take your lunch break. It sells salads, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, crisps, cakes, hot and cold drinks and daily specials. The café accepts cash and card payments. Please ask if you would like a copy of our menu in advance, or if you’d like us to pre-order for your team. Unfortunately, food not purchased on site may not be consumed at GK’s café. If this doesn’t suit your group, please let us know and we will do our best to book another space for you to relax during your lunch break. We have water coolers on site and would recommend that everyone brings a refillable water bottle to use on the day to help us minimise waste. If you would like to make your own tea or coffee, we do also have kitchen facilities available.

How safe are the volunteering activities? 

We take the safety of our volunteers very seriously. We have a risk assessment and we will supervise you whilst here. If your company requires that you carry out your own risk assessment in advance, do let us know and we’d be happy to help. If your company has policies around specific matters, or if any individuals volunteering with us have specific needs, please let us know. 

What happens if we have to cancel or change the date? 

A lot of effort goes in to making sure your volunteer day goes smoothly. We therefore ask that you give us plenty of notice if your team’s availability changes. We will do our best to reschedule, though due to a limited number of dates being available, and popularity in booking these dates, we cannot guarantee it.