Volunteers Policy & Handbook
Policy Number: KSH-FRM-VHP-14
Unit: Community Resources
Resources: KSH Shared folder + KSH Website
Edition: 2
Issue Date: 12-02-2026
Next Review Date: 12-02-2027
Purpose: This handbook aims to organize and manage volunteer work at Kuwait Society for the Handicapped (KSH) in support of the Society's mission, vision, and strategic objectives. It ensures that volunteers are recruited and managed in accordance with the principles of governance, quality, risk management, and beneficiary protection, thereby enhancing community impact and the sustainability of volunteer work.
Applicable To: All units and centers are required to apply this policy to all registered volunteers and visitors participating in approved volunteering activities at KSH.
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
We are delighted that you have chosen to volunteer with Kuwait Society for the Handicapped (KSH). Volunteers play an important role in supporting activities across our centers and contributing to a positive and inclusive environment.
Volunteering is a temporary, support-based experience and does not guarantee or imply employment, internships, or future job opportunities.
2. Institutional Principles for Volunteer Work
Beneficiary-first service.
Respect for the dignity of persons with disabilities.
Maintaining confidentiality.
Fairness and equal opportunity.
Non-discrimination.
Transparency.
Accountability.
Safety and risk management.
Compliance with institutional policies.
Working in a spirit of teamwork.
3. Purpose
To ensure that volunteers can contribute positively, safely, and meaningfully to Kuwait Society for the Handicapped (KSH). This handbook provides guidance for volunteers, explains expectations and boundaries, and supports a respectful and structured volunteering experience.
4. Volunteer Program Objectives
Supporting educational programs.
Supporting rehabilitation programs.
Supporting community activities.
Raising the quality of services.
Enhancing community participation.
Discovering young leadership talent.
Building sustainable community partnerships.
5. Volunteering Motivations
Motivations for volunteering are the primary behavioral driver of voluntary work. They vary from one individual to another and from one society to another, but converge around fundamental values. Social psychologists classify volunteer work as one of the outcomes of these motivations, which include, but are not limited to:
Values Motivation:
Represents the volunteer's sense of altruism, expressed through caring for others and engagement in humanitarian and charitable concerns.
Understanding Motivation:
A motive through which the volunteer learns skills and knowledge expected to be useful in other social contexts.
Social Motivation:
A motive focused on building, shaping, and nurturing social relationships with others within volunteer activities.
Career Motivation:
The possibility for the volunteer to attain a better position or gain work-related professional benefits.
Protective Motivation:
Used to avoid or isolate unpleasant psychological feelings through engagement in volunteer work, freeing the volunteer from constant focus on personal problems.
Development Motivation:
Works to strengthen positive psychological feelings in the volunteer.
6. Volunteering Definition & Types
Definition: Work that is chosen freely and without payment, with the aim of benefiting society.
6.1 General Volunteering Approaches (international classification):
Skills-based volunteering: focuses on empowering individuals' unique skills and talents to help them achieve their goals.
Volunteering in civil society organizations: platforms that are fundamentally built on volunteering.
6.2 Types of Volunteering at KSH (aligned with the Society's nature of work):
Educational volunteering.
Rehabilitation volunteering.
Health volunteering (non-treatment).
Administrative volunteering.
Media volunteering.
Event volunteering.
E-volunteering.
Professional volunteering (Pro Bono).
Seasonal volunteering.
7. Volunteer Acceptance Criteria
Minimum/maximum age requirement.
Valid Civil ID.
Good conduct and behavior.
Health fitness.
No criminal record (Certificate of Good Conduct), where applicable.
Passing the personal interview.
Completing the required orientation/training.
Signing the volunteer application form.
Signing the confidentiality undertaking.
Agreeing to the Beneficiary Protection Policy.
8. Volunteer Management Life Cycle
Announcement.
Registration.
Screening.
Interview.
Acceptance.
Training.
Placement.
Supervision.
Evaluation.
Recognition.
Termination of volunteering.
9. Roles & Responsibilities of Departments
Community Resources Department:
Volunteer recruitment.
Registration.
Issuing ID badges.
Record keeping.
Issuing certificates.
Social & Psychological Services Supervisor / Volunteer Officer:
Identifying needs.
Supervision.
Performance evaluation.
Reporting violations.
Direct Supervisor:
Orientation.
Daily follow-up.
Evaluation.
Approving hours.
Quality Management:
Monitoring compliance.
Analyzing indicators.
Continuous improvement.
10. Volunteering Mechanism
Age Eligibility:
The accepted age range for volunteering is 15 to 65 years, subject to suitability, supervision, and the nature of the activity.
Volunteer Duration & Hours:
Volunteering is limited to a maximum of 3 hours per day. The total volunteering period shall not exceed three months, with a maximum of 60 hours in total. This structure ensures a balanced, safe, and meaningful experience for both volunteers and beneficiaries.
Scheduling:
Volunteers may select their volunteering days based on the Society's and their own availability. There is no fixed schedule for all volunteers. Selected days must comply with each center's official working days and hours. Any changes must be communicated in advance.
Record Keeping:
Volunteer attendance and hours are recorded to ensure accurate documentation. These records may be used to issue certificates or reference letters when applicable.
Identification Badge:
All volunteers must always wear their official KSH identification badge while on KSH premises to ensure safety and clear identification.
Dress Code:
Volunteers are expected to dress in a respectful and modest manner and maintain good personal hygiene. Strong perfumes, powders, or accessories that may pose a safety risk, such as bulky jewelry, should be avoided.
Photography & Media Consent:
Volunteers must provide written consent if they agree to have photographs or videos taken. Photography of children or residents is strictly prohibited unless official approval and guardian consent have been obtained.
Social Media:
Volunteers are expected to use social media responsibly. Content must not violate privacy, confidentiality, or misrepresent the Society, its residents, or its work.
Speaking on Behalf of KSH:
Volunteers may not speak on behalf of KSH or represent the Society publicly unless officially authorized by the Marketing Team or the Director.
Approved Volunteering Areas:
Volunteering activities are limited to approved centers and administrative areas. Access to restricted units is allowed only during summer programs or approved special events.
11. Volunteer Rights & Responsibilities
The volunteer commits to:
Completing the volunteer application form with clarity and transparency, and taking responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided.
Signing an agreement with the Society after reviewing the Volunteer Code of Conduct in full, agreeing to its contents and committing to abide by it.
Acting responsibly in emergency or unexpected situations and following the Society's guidance in such cases.
Prioritizing the Society's objectives over personal interests and maintaining its reputation and image.
Following the instructions of the Society's staff and working with discipline, seriousness, and professionalism.
Adhering to the agreed volunteer working hours.
Acting with integrity and respect.
Complying with the Society's policies.
Maintaining complete confidentiality.
Following health and safety instructions.
Informing the supervisor in case of inability to attend.
Rights of Volunteers:
A safe and supportive environment.
Clear guidance and supervision.
Respectful treatment.
The opportunity to provide feedback on their experience.
12. Beneficiary Protection (Safeguarding)
This is one of the most important requirements of international quality standards, and volunteers must strictly observe the following:
A volunteer must not remain alone with a beneficiary.
Unnecessary physical contact is prohibited.
Exchanging phone numbers with beneficiaries is prohibited.
Communication with beneficiaries outside the Society is prohibited.
Giving personal gifts is prohibited.
Taking a beneficiary outside the premises is prohibited.
Publishing photos of beneficiaries is prohibited.
Any suspected abuse must be reported immediately to the direct supervisor.
13. Risk Management
KSH takes all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of volunteers. Volunteers must comply with all health and safety procedures and report any accidents or concerns immediately. In addition, the volunteer must:
Report any risks observed.
Not operate equipment or machinery.
Not administer medication to beneficiaries.
Not transport or move a beneficiary.
Comply with the Society's evacuation plans.
14. Violations & Disciplinary Actions
ADD VIOLATIONS HERE
15. Whistle Blowing
Volunteers who have concerns regarding misconduct, malpractice, or unsafe practices should follow the Society's Whistle Blowing Policy.
16. Confidentiality
Volunteers are bound by the Society's confidentiality policies and must protect all personal and sensitive information during their volunteering period.
17. Support & Supervision
Each volunteer is assigned a contact person for guidance, supervision, and support throughout the volunteering period.
18. Equal Opportunities
KSH is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and does not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
19. Expenses
Volunteers are unpaid and are not entitled to financial compensation.
20. Smoking & Substance Abuse
All KSH premises are smoke-free. Smoking, vaping, or substance use is strictly prohibited while volunteering or representing the Society.
21. Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Number of volunteers.
Retention rate.
Volunteering hours.
Number of initiatives.
Volunteer satisfaction rate.
Center satisfaction rate.
Training completion rate.
Number of violations.
Number of recognition certificates issued.
22. Quality Assurance & Linkage
The volunteer program is subject to periodic review within the Society's quality management system. Its effectiveness is measured through performance indicators, satisfaction surveys, internal audit reports, and continuous improvement plans.
In addition, the program is monitored and evaluated regularly to ensure quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
23. Termination
KSH reserves the right to terminate volunteering participation if policies, safety standards, or boundaries are violated, in accordance with the Violations & Disciplinary Actions table (Section 14).
24. Feedback & Exit
A feedback form will be sent after the volunteering certificate is issued. Volunteers will be invited to provide exit feedback to support program improvement.
25. Annexes & Forms
Volunteer Application Form.
Volunteering Agreement.
Confidentiality Undertaking.
Beneficiary Protection Undertaking.
Volunteer Evaluation Form.
Volunteer Hours Approval Form.
Volunteering Termination Form.
Volunteer Satisfaction Survey.
Center Satisfaction Survey.
Volunteering Certificate.