If you have a concern about someone’s wellbeing, health or safety while you are volunteering with RABI, or if you witness an accident or near miss, it’s important to report it using the short form below.

By reporting a risk or anything that concerns you, you are helping RABI to ensure that all our activities are safe. All concerns are handled discreetly and taken seriously.

Thank you for helping to make RABI a safe place to volunteer and to access support.

Guidance for Volunteers

Most volunteering activities run smoothly, but occasionally something happens that needs attention. This could involve:

  • a member of the farming community sharing that they are struggling,
  • someone becoming upset, distressed or unwell,
  • an accident or near miss,
  • difficult or inappropriate behaviour,
  • a complaint or conflict,
  • a safety, security or reputational concern.

Your role as a volunteer is simple: respond appropriately, keep people safe and make sure concerns are shared.

You are not expected to provide counselling, investigate concerns, solve problems or make decisions about support.

If something happens – follow these 3 steps:

Pause and consider what is happening. Ask yourself:

  • Is anyone in immediate danger?
  • Does someone need urgent medical help?
  • Does someone appear distressed or vulnerable?
  • Does this need support from event staff or emergency services?

You do not need all the facts.

Take appropriate action for the situation. This might include:

  • seeking support from event organisers or venue staff,
  • contacting emergency services (999),
  • moving to a quieter place to speak,
  • listening calmly,
  • asking the event lead or another volunteer or RABI contact for support.

If someone talks to you about personal difficulties or wants support

  • listen and thank them for speaking with you
  • do not investigate or advise or try to solve their problem
  • do not promise confidentiality
  • where possible, encourage the person to contact the RABI helpline directly.

If they ask you to help them access support / call the helpline:

  • explain what information would be shared – you will need a name, date of birth and email or phone number
  • do not pressure them to share information
  • make sure they understand what will happen next (ie. somebody from RABI will contact them)

Report the concern as soon as possible using the CONCERN FORM. Include:

  • what happened
  • what action you took
  • any support you signposted
  • whether contact details were shared (and consent given)
  • Keep it factual. Avoid assumptions or opinions.

If you believe the concern is SERIOUS ie. there is an immediate risk of harm, a serious welfare concern or an emergency

Report the concern to the relevant on-site service and to RABI as soon as possible

  • 9 – 5pm – Monday to Friday – call the Volunteering Team on 01865 724931 (option 3)
  • Outside working hours please email press@rabi.org.uk
  • Include the facts, your name and contact number

If you are unsure, please still report the concern

You do not need to decide:

  • whether someone qualifies for support,
  • whether something is serious enough,
  • or what happens next.

Your role is to make sure concerns reach the right people.

Once a concern form is submitted, a RABI member of staff may follow up:

  • to gather additional context as needed,
  • ensure any appropriate actions are taken,
  • check on your wellbeing following the event
  • ensure we learn from what’s happened and if needed, make further changes.

Remember: ASSESS → ACT → REPORT

If you have a concern about someone’s wellbeing, health or safety while you are volunteering with RABI, or if you witness an accident or near miss, it’s important to report it using the short form below.

By reporting a risk or anything that concerns you, you are helping RABI to ensure that all our activities are safe. All concerns are handled discreetly and taken seriously.

Thank you for helping to make RABI a safe place to volunteer and to access support.

Guidance for Volunteers

Most volunteering activities run smoothly, but occasionally something happens that needs attention. This could involve:

  • a member of the farming community sharing that they are struggling,
  • someone becoming upset, distressed or unwell,
  • an accident or near miss,
  • difficult or inappropriate behaviour,
  • a complaint or conflict,
  • a safety, security or reputational concern.

Your role as a volunteer is simple: respond appropriately, keep people safe and make sure concerns are shared.

You are not expected to provide counselling, investigate concerns, solve problems or make decisions about support.

If something happens – follow these 3 steps:

Pause and consider what is happening. Ask yourself:

  • Is anyone in immediate danger?
  • Does someone need urgent medical help?
  • Does someone appear distressed or vulnerable?
  • Does this need support from event staff or emergency services?

You do not need all the facts.

Take appropriate action for the situation. This might include:

  • seeking support from event organisers or venue staff,
  • contacting emergency services (999),
  • moving to a quieter place to speak,
  • listening calmly,
  • asking the event lead or another volunteer or RABI contact for support.

If someone talks to you about personal difficulties or wants support

  • listen and thank them for speaking with you
  • do not investigate or advise or try to solve their problem
  • do not promise confidentiality
  • where possible, encourage the person to contact the RABI helpline directly.

If they ask you to help them access support / call the helpline:

  • explain what information would be shared – you will need a name, date of birth and email or phone number
  • do not pressure them to share information
  • make sure they understand what will happen next (ie. somebody from RABI will contact them)

Report the concern as soon as possible using the CONCERN FORM. Include:

  • what happened
  • what action you took
  • any support you signposted
  • whether contact details were shared (and consent given)
  • Keep it factual. Avoid assumptions or opinions.

If you believe the concern is SERIOUS ie. there is an immediate risk of harm, a serious welfare concern or an emergency

Report the concern to the relevant on-site service and to RABI as soon as possible

  • 9 – 5pm – Monday to Friday – call the Volunteering Team on 01865 724931 (option 3)
  • Outside working hours please email press@rabi.org.uk
  • Include the facts, your name and contact number

If you are unsure, please still report the concern

You do not need to decide:

  • whether someone qualifies for support,
  • whether something is serious enough,
  • or what happens next.

Your role is to make sure concerns reach the right people.

Once a concern form is submitted, a RABI member of staff may follow up:

  • to gather additional context as needed,
  • ensure any appropriate actions are taken,
  • check on your wellbeing following the event
  • ensure we learn from what’s happened and if needed, make further changes.

Remember: ASSESS → ACT → REPORT