Volunteer health and safety guidelines

As Heart Foundation street collectors, your safety is very important to us.

To comply with Health and Safety legislation, the Heart Foundation asks that you:

• Always consider your own safety and that of others around you
• Phone St John Ambulance (111) if there is a medical emergency
• Report any hazards, injuries or "near misses" to the Big Heart Appeal Team on 0800 244 432
• If you are coordinating a shopping mall or other indoor location, please ensure all volunteers are familiar with the evacuation procedures and take note of your nearest exit
• Your safety is more important than the donations. In the unlikely event that a member of the public threatens you, hand over the bucket immediately
• Be conscious about how you manage the money on collection days. Please do not open the buckets on the street or give out change. If you have a bag with you, consider placing the bucket in the bag. Avoid parking your car in an isolated spot and if you must take buckets with money back to your car, be aware of your surroundings. If unavoidable, ask someone trustworthy to accompany you to your car.
• Any suspected theft should be reported to us by calling 0800 244 432
• Do not give your collection bucket to anyone that does not have a Heart Foundation bib
• Remember to wear sunblock, drink water and stand in the shade as much as possible
• While you are representing the Heart Foundation, we ask that you refrain from: smoking, drinking alcohol or sugary drinks (Coca-Cola, Powerade, fizzy drinks etc.) and avoid eating obviously non heart-healthy foods (i.e. takeaways, pies, chocolate bars etc.).

Covid-19 – your health and wellbeing is our top priority

Given this year's unique circumstances, please be assured that your health and wellbeing is our top priority. We will be following all safety protocols and government guidelines, including the supply of a face mask and hand sanitizer, should you wish to use during your time collecting. Should any of the government guidelines change regarding safety protocols, we will advise you of this in advance of the collections.

If you're sick

Staying at home if you're sick is especially important. If you feel unwell and/or are displaying any of the Covid-19 symptoms please, stay home, let us know that you are unable to volunteer and call your doctor or Healthline (Available 24 hours, 7 days a week on 0800 358 5453 24).

Keep your distance

Covid-19 is contained at Alert Level 1; however, it is still worthwhile to keep a safe distance from people you don't know while out and about. This will help to minimize the spread of Covid-19. Please maintain one-meter physical distancing, avoid handling cash and encourage the use of scanning the contactless QR code.

Keep track of where you've been and who you've seen

We encourage you to track where you've been and who you've seen to help with contact tracing, if required, using either the NZ COVID Tracer app at your collection site or alternatively, you can keep your own diary with details of places you've visited, at what time and who with. This helps with contact tracing if it's required.

Maintain good hygiene

It’s important that you use basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces. We have included a bottle of hand sanitizer in your volunteer kit and encourage you to use this during your time collecting. We would also suggest you wash your hands thoroughly when you get home from collecting and in between breaks, most importantly if you are stopping to eat food.

At-risk people

People at higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19 are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving home. Advice for people at risk of Covid-19.