Terms and Conditions

JVN’s role and responsibility:

In these Terms and Conditions references to "we", "us" and "our" refer to the Jewish Volunteering Network (JVN).

The Jewish Volunteering Network (‘JVN’) aims to promote volunteering in the Jewish and wider communities to connect, support and place volunteers, aged 18 and above, in volunteering opportunities.  Additionally, it serves to support charities, CIOs and schools, henceforth referred to as organisations, to create legally compliant volunteer departments.

Volunteering is of huge benefit both to the volunteers themselves and to the organisations to which they devote their time. The volunteering experience should always be safe, rewarding, and enjoyable for everyone involved.  Therefore, it is important at the outset to establish responsibilities, expectations and procedures for addressing any issues that may arise.

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which we work with members of the public seeking volunteering opportunities whether one-off, ad-hoc, occasional or regular.  Equally, with organisations looking for volunteers, in order that volunteers and organisations alike fully understand their responsibilities to each other.

JVN offers a connecting service, whereby those looking for volunteering opportunities can use our services to find roles with organisations that appeal to them. Organisations can advertise roles via JVN to support them in recruitment of volunteers to help deliver their services. Those using this service are directed to JVN’s Privacy Policy, which explains how their personal data will be processed and their rights in respect of it.

JVN is not responsible, and will not be liable in any way whatsoever, for the acts or omissions of volunteers taking up volunteering opportunities with organisations and does not undertake vetting or background checks or take up references.

JVN is also not responsible, and will not be liable in any way whatsoever, for the acts or omissions of registered organisations recruiting volunteers or for their failure to have or to implement policies and procedures for the safety, welfare and protection of volunteers or others with whom they engage.

For charities and other organisations using or intending to use JVN’s services

Organisations must be registered with the UK Charity Commission. JVN reserves the right to refuse registration to any organisation it believes to be ineligible. JVN also reserves the right to suspend a charity's ability to post opportunities on our website, should this impact the organisational reputation of JVN. The decision of the JVN CEO/Board of Trustees will be final.

Organisations recruiting volunteers are responsible for ensuring a safe and supportive environment for their beneficiaries, staff, and volunteers. Accordingly, they should have in place appropriate policies, procedures and working practices relating to the safety, welfare, and protections of those with whom they engage, which are likely to include at a minimum:

• Safeguarding
• Health & Safety
• Data Protection and Confidentiality
• Public Liability Insurance
• Volunteer Policy

They should ensure all volunteers are informed of such policies, procedures and working practices and given appropriate instruction and training, both for their safety and welfare and for those with whom they come into contact.

JVN reserves the right to see copies of policies it deems necessary or appropriate before posting volunteering opportunities on its website or passing volunteers details to organisations. However, the fact that a volunteering opportunity appears on JVN’s website, or a volunteer can contact an organisation through JVN, is not to be taken as an endorsement of the adequacy of such policies or related procedures or working practices.

JVN does not vet or endorse any potential volunteers who contact you through our organisation and does not make any guarantees as to the suitability of the applicant.

Organisations should only engage volunteers once they have completed a recruitment process commensurate with the volunteering role.  Being mindful that roles may change over time and so safeguarding, or competency requirements may also change. Whilst a safe recruitment process is the responsibility of the organisation, it should normally include:

• An interview
• Two independent references
• A Data and Barring Service (‘DBS’) check where a volunteer will have unaccompanied contact with children or adults at risk
• Appropriate training and induction, including Safeguarding training where a volunteer will have unaccompanied contact with children or adults at risk

JVN cannot be held liable for any consequences resulting from appointments made following use of its services. Organisations are expected to provide JVN with information about whether volunteers that were connected via JVN were placed.

JVN Training Cancellation Policy

JVN regularly offers training support to volunteer using organisations.  However, we reserve the right to cancel, postpone or otherwise alter the content or date of an event without notice. In such circumstances JVN will return any payment received without penalty of a cancellation charge. In the event of cancellation by a delegate, cancellation fees will be due as follows:

• Cancellations made 15 working days or more before the date of the training/seminar will receive a full refund.
• Cancellations made 6-14 working days before the date of the training/seminar, will receive a refund of 50%.
• Cancellations made 5 working days or less before the date of the training/seminar will not be entitled to any refund.
• No refunds will be made in the case of no shows.
• In exceptional circumstances a refund or a credit note may be offered at the discretion of JVN. In these circumstances, email caroline@jvn.org.uk giving full details of why you were unable to attend, enclosing any supporting documentation if possible.

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing the content of www.jvn.org.uk ("the website") (part of the Jewish Volunteering Network) you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set out herein and accept our privacy policy available at www.jvn.org.uk/policies. If you object to any of the terms and conditions set out in this agreement, you should not use any of the products or services on the website and leave immediately.

You agree that you shall not use the website for illegal purposes and will respect all applicable laws and regulations. You agree not to use the website in a way that may impair the performance, corrupt the content, or otherwise reduce the overall functionality of the website. You also agree not to compromise the security of the website or attempt to gain access to secured areas or sensitive information.

You agree to be fully responsible for any claim, expense, liability, losses, costs including legal fees incurred by us arising from any infringement of the Terms and Conditions set out in this agreement.

Any passwords or codes issued to you are personal to you to facilitate your access to the website and shall not be disclosed to any third party without JVN's prior written consent.

All email communications sent by JVN, and attachments thereto are intended only for the addressee and/or others authorised to receive them.

Charities, once registered and checked against the Charity Commission website, may upload opportunities on the JVN website free of charge. Partnership provides access to many other benefits, for further information please contact info@jvn.org.uk.

Modification

JVN reserves the right to change any part of this agreement without notice and your use of the website will be deemed as acceptance of this agreement. We advise users to regularly check the Terms and Conditions of this agreement.

JVN has complete discretion to modify or remove any part of this site without warning or liability arising from such action.

Limitation of Liability

JVN will under no circumstance be liable for indirect, special, or consequential damages, including any loss of business, revenue, profits, or data in relation to your use of the website.

Nothing within this Agreement will operate to exclude any liability for death or personal injury arising as result of the negligence of JVN, its employees or agents.

Copyright

All intellectual property of JVN such as trademarks, trade names, patents, registered designs, and any other automatic intellectual property rights derived from the aesthetics or functionality of the website remain the property of JVN.

By using the website, you agree to respect the intellectual property rights of JVN and will refrain from copying, downloading, transmitting, reproducing, printing, or exploiting for commercial purpose any material contained within the website without JVN’s prior written consent.

Data Protection

The data you supply will be recorded by JVN and used to administer your partnership and to communicate with you. It will also be used for our own statistical and analytical purposes. JVN does not pass on data to any third party. If you believe that any of the information, we hold concerning your charity is incorrect or out of date, it is your responsibility to provide accurate information.

Data Protection on the JVN Website

Although we will make every effort to ensure that information on your charity on our website is accurate, we cannot guarantee this, and it is your responsibility to log into your account and update and make changes. Data encryption is used but the security of information transmitted via the Internet cannot be guaranteed and JVN cannot be responsible for any losses incurred or sustained by users who transmit information by electronic means. These terms and conditions form the basis of the contract through which the Jewish Volunteering Network (JVN) will deliver a service to you as a JVN Partner or free listing charity. On registering with JVN you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.

For individuals using or intending to use JVN’s services

1. About JVN

The Jewish Volunteering Network (JVN) connects people with volunteering opportunities offered by Jewish, wider sector and interfaith organisations.

JVN acts as a matching and information service. We are not the provider of the volunteering opportunities listed on our website and do not employ or manage volunteers on behalf of organisations.

By registering with JVN or using our services, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.

 

2. Opportunities Listed on the JVN Website

Volunteering opportunities advertised through JVN are provided by independent organisations .

The inclusion of an organisation or volunteering opportunity on the JVN website does not constitute an endorsement by JVN of that organisation's:

• views or opinions
• religious beliefs or practices
• governance
• policies or procedures
• activities
• products or services
• financial position
• legal compliance

Volunteers are encouraged to make their own enquiries before accepting any volunteering role.

 

3. Your Responsibilities

Before accepting a volunteering opportunity, you are responsible for ensuring that the role is suitable for you, including its:

• duties and responsibilities
• location
• time commitment
• physical requirements
• skills required
• accessibility
• on boarding and training requirements

You should ask any questions necessary to ensure you fully understand the role before agreeing to volunteer.

 

4. Working with Organisations

Once you have been introduced to an organisation, all decisions relating to recruitment, selection, induction, training, supervision and placement are the responsibility of that organisation.

JVN:

• cannot guarantee that you will be offered a volunteering role
• cannot guarantee that an organisation will respond to your enquiry
• is not responsible for the quality or timeliness of an organisation's communication once an introduction has been made.

 

5. Policies and Volunteer Safety

Organisations working with volunteers, particularly those supporting children or vulnerable adults, should have appropriate policies and procedures in place.

These would normally include:

• Safeguarding
• Health and Safety
• Data Protection and Confidentiality
• Public Liability Insurance
• A Volunteer Policy or Volunteer Handbook

Volunteers are responsible for satisfying themselves that an organisation has appropriate arrangements in place to protect their wellbeing, personal information and safety.

JVN may request copies of relevant policies from organisations before advertising volunteering opportunities or introducing volunteers.

However, the presence of an opportunity on the JVN website should not be interpreted as confirmation that JVN has audited or approved an organisation's policies, procedures or working practices.

 

6. DBS Checks and Compliance

Some volunteering roles require:

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks;
• references;
• identity checks;
• training;
• professional registration; or
• other legal or regulatory requirements.

It is your responsibility to complete any requirements requested by the organisation before commencing your volunteering role.

 

7. Volunteer Code of Conduct

When volunteering through an organisation introduced by JVN, you are expected to conduct yourself in a respectful, safe and professional manner.

This includes:

• treating beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and members of the public with dignity and respect;
• behaving honestly and with integrity;
• following the organisation's policies, procedures and reasonable instructions;
• maintaining confidentiality where required;
• protecting personal data and sensitive information;
• supporting an inclusive environment free from discrimination, bullying or harassment;
• taking reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others;
• raising safeguarding or safety concerns appropriately;
• representing yourself and the organisation responsibly.

Failure to follow an organisation's Code of Conduct or Volunteer Agreement may result in your volunteering ending and may affect your future use of JVN's services.

 

8. Respectful Behaviour

We expect everyone using JVN's services to communicate respectfully.

This includes interactions with:

• JVN staff;
• charity staff;
• charity volunteers;
• beneficiaries; and
• other volunteers.

JVN will not tolerate abusive, threatening, discriminatory, intimidating or offensive behaviour, whether in person, by telephone, online or by email.

Where such behaviour occurs, JVN reserves the right to suspend or withdraw access to its services and, where appropriate, to notify charities using JVN of that decision where it is necessary for safeguarding or volunteer management purposes.

 

9. Pausing or Suspending an Account

JVN reserves the right to pause or suspend an individual's account where it reasonably believes this is necessary to protect:

• volunteers;
• beneficiaries;
• partner organisations;
• JVN staff; or
• the integrity and reputation of JVN's services.

 

 

This may include, but is not limited to:

• safeguarding concerns that are being investigated;
• information suggesting that a volunteer may not be suitable to work with vulnerable people;
• concerns regarding inappropriate behaviour;
• serious breaches of these Terms and Conditions;
• misuse of JVN's services;
• circumstances presenting a legal, safeguarding or reputational risk.

 

 

Any pause or suspension is a precautionary measure and does not imply that misconduct has occurred.

Decisions will be made fairly, proportionately and in line with safeguarding best practice.

 

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, JVN accepts no responsibility for:

• decisions made by organisations regarding volunteer recruitment;
• the actions or omissions of organisations advertising volunteering opportunities;
• the actions of volunteers once introduced to an organisation;
• any loss, damage or injury arising from a volunteering placement;
• disputes between volunteers and organisations.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful to do so.

 

11. Changes to these Terms

JVN may amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time.

The most recent version will always be available on the JVN website. Continued use of JVN's services constitutes acceptance of any updated Terms and Conditions.

 

12. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact the Jewish Volunteering Network.

 

 

Rachelle Lazarus

28th, July 2026