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Our top priority is the health, safety, and well-being of people living in the communities we serve, volunteers and staff. On this page, you'll find information on our Code of Conduct, information on safety both on site and on base, physical and mental health information along with our health insurance guidelines.
If you suffer from an underlying health condition we strongly recommend you consult a medical professional before committing to join. You should consider the impact of living and working in challenging conditions for a prolonged duration of time. It's important to note, outside of emergencies, access to medical assistance may be limited while you are on the program.
For advice on vaccinations, volunteers should consult with a travel medical professional for advice based on their individual needs. For more information on health and vaccinations, please review the Health and Wellbeing section.
SAFETY ON SITE
SAFETY ON SITE
We aim to provide a trained staff member or experienced Team Leader for volunteers new to certain tasks; this, along with specific tools and safety training, is a great way to safely learn new skills. Accidents can be avoided by taking precautions and staying alert to your surroundings.
Worksites are full of hazards such as wire, broken timbers, sharp rusty nails, corrugated iron sheets and rebar. You may be required to wear a long sleeve shirt when working with concrete. Dusty air may require the need for eye drops. Sturdy work boots or hiking boots are required. Puncture-proof, steel-toed boots are recommended. No other shoes or sandals are allowed on site; you will not be permitted to work if you do not have suitable footwear. The uneven and potentially slippery and muddy ground is common. First aid kits are always available at work sites in case of an accident.
SAFETY ON BASE
SAFETY ON BASE
We continuously monitor security alerts and are prepared to respond if a security issue develops. We've found that establishing a positive reputation and tight relationships in the community where we operate is most effective. We place a responsibility on individual volunteers to practice awareness and good decision-making to keep themselves and their fellow volunteers safe each day.
We will have a presence on base at all times; however, we cannot assure the security of your belongings. Do not bring anything that is irreplaceable and ensure anything you do bring is covered by valid insurance.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
In a disaster relief setting and communal living environment, it’s important that we take time away for our physical and, most importantly, mental health. All staff and volunteers are required to take a three-day mental health break away from the program every month; all costs associated with this are covered by the individual taking a break.
For more information, see our Break Policy document.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
As we move further past the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to relax the requirement for Covid-19 vacation for on program staff and volunteers. We continue to strongly encourage all staff and volunteers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 along with other standard and travel immunizations as recommended by the CDC and WHO. This is to help minimize the risk of requiring hospitalization during illness and to avoid taking valuable health resources away from the local community.
Testing schedules and other precautions will be determined by local program situations and needs. Standard precautions, including proper hygiene and sanitation practices, for disease prevention will continue to be emphasized across all programs.
Please familiarise yourself with our COVID-19 advice document for the most up to date information on our COVID-19 safety measures.
Volunteers should be in good physical health, as most of the work on this program will involve repetitive manual labour, often in a very hot climate. Volunteers will be encouraged to take regular breaks for rest and rehydration. However, if you have any physical limitations you may want to consider the impact manual labour will have over several weeks.
Living communally may cause its own set of challenges. Remember that frequent hand washing and good hygiene are the first line of defense in staying healthy and productive. Incoming volunteers should consult a travel medical professional for advice on vaccinations to make decisions based on their individual needs. Please consider this if you suffer from any underlying medical conditions
MENTAL HEALTH
MENTAL HEALTH
People are often viewed as mentally 'well' or 'unwell'. However, we know that mental health is NOT a static state. Rather, it is always changing along with every other aspect of our lives.
The Mental Health Continuum offers some general indicators you can use to track your own mental health and wellness. This can be used to proactively identify when you're moving away from the green end of the continuum, and steps to take at each phase.
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THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO YOU
Wellbeing Resources
Your mental health matters. To help make care more accessible, All Hands & Hearts has partnered with BetterHelp to remove traditional barriers to therapy and provide affordable, convenient support: all 100% online. As part of this partnership, you can access three months of free therapy to give you a strong start on your wellness journey.
In addition, we have partnered with two licensed professionals who are here to support our community:
Ana Leticia Bedwell analety.bedwell@gmail.com
A former staff member and volunteer with All Hands and Hearts, Ana brings firsthand understanding of our work and culture. She holds both Primary and Advanced training in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), which she practices as a psychotherapist. Ana supports individuals and families by providing practical strategies to manage stress, anxiety, depression, emotional eating, and other challenges that affect overall wellbeing.
Dr. Zereana Jess-Huff zereana@cogniversity.io
With more than 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Z approaches therapy with empathy and compassion, while providing patients with practical tools to build resilience and embrace life with confidence. She holds specialized training in emotional wellbeing, relationships and life transitions, physical and medical challenges, military and perinatal support, and coping with self-injurious behaviors. Dr. Z is currently licensed to practice in Texas and Florida, with additional states coming soon.
For additional information or guidance on wellbeing resources, please reach out to our Corporate Wellness Manager, Cassia McAreavey at cassia.m@allhandsandhearts.org.
humanitarian mental health
humanitarian mental health
As a volunteer serving disaster-impacted communities, you may find certain elements of the role more challenging than others, such as the long work days & communal living environment.
If you haven't prepared yourself, these challenges may become overwhelming. To avoid this and proactively set yourself up for success, it's important to start thinking about your mental health now and how you may cope with challenges that arise. First, let's look at a few common mental health challenges that humanitarians sometimes experience in the field.
BURNOUT
BURNOUT
Burnout is a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. In a humanitarian role, Burnout is even more likely to occur. Check out these resources to learn more about burnout.
compassion fatigue
compassion fatigue
Also called “vicarious traumatization” or secondary traumatization. The emotional residue or strain of exposure to working with those suffering from the consequences of traumatic events. It differs from burn-out, but can co-exist. Compassion Fatigue can occur due to exposure on one case or can be due to a “cumulative” level of trauma.
We've gathered a few self-care tips, tricks and tools you can use to take care of yourself on program. Check out the resources below!
We've gathered a few self-care tips, tricks and tools you can use to take care of yourself on program. Check out the resources below!
Self care means knowing who you are and your limits. It means recognizing when you are doing more than you are used to and how to slow down. It means finding a way to decompress throughout your day. Self care in essence is the mindful taking of time to pay attention to you, not in a selfish way, but in a way that ensures that you are being cared for by you.
Check out the Wellbeing Resource Guide to learn how to access these services while on-program. You will see this information flyer posted around base, however we also recommend printing your own copy and keeping it with your other important personal documents.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We have an organizational medical insurance policy that covers anyone who is under the age of 80 and volunteering outside of their country of residence, in the event of any injury or illness while on our program. This includes medical evacuation in the unlikely event of a serious incident. This does not cover routine medication or treatment. If you have any questions about our insurance policy, please do not hesitate to ask and we will be happy to help.
Medical insurance is only available to volunteers who are volunteering with All Hands and Hearts outside of their country of residence.
Please note that If you are volunteering within your country of residence, you should have a health insurance plan that covers you for:
· Medical emergency care
· Medical emergency evacuation
· Medical treatment in the event of injury or illness, specifically whilst undertaking construction work
· Access to replacement prescriptions and medications
· COVID related expenses
· Cover for non-emergency medical conditions, including diagnosis and treatment
· Access to funds to cover any costs until you can claim back from your insurance provider
If your insurance does not provide this cover then we will do all we can to get you any level of care, but you will be liable for any costs incurred. If you are incapacitated and need urgent medical care, All Hands and Hearts will cover immediate costs, which will need to be reimbursed from your insurance policy.
To ensure you’re covered in the event of an emergency, we ask that you share your insurance details with your emergency contact. We also recommend you bring a copy of your insurance details with you for us to keep on file.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FAQ
TRAVEL INSURANCE FAQ
We have provided answers to some frequently asked questions to help you understand our policy should this apply to you. Click here to view our Health Insurance FAQs:
When am I covered under the AHAH insurance policy? You are covered once you arrive at the base and have filled in your paperwork.
Does it cover me if I lose or break my phone? The policy only covers you in the event of an illness or injury. It does not cover any loss or damage to personal items under any circumstances.
What if I injure myself and need to be evacuated, am I covered? Yes. The safety and wellbeing of our volunteers is a priority. For this reason, our medical insurance policy includes medical evacuation to the closest hospital in the unlikely event of a serious illness or injury.
What if I get sick and need treatment, am I covered? Yes. Our medical insurance provides cover for all illnesses, this includes treatment and medical evacuation if required.
Does this cover routine medication or treatment? No. Our Travel Insurance covers accident and emergency only.
How long am I covered for? The policy covers you while on program.
Am I covered whilst I'm on break? The insurance will cover you while you’re on your allotted break; however, it will not cover you if you are traveling after you leave the project.
Who do I contact if I need hospital treatment while on the program? Speak to the Program Director and they will start the process of implementing our insurance policy where needed.
Will I need to pay for my treatment myself? If you receive medical treatment at a facility that doesn’t have an agreement with our insurance provider, you may have to pay for care upfront and will have to submit a claim online for reimbursement.
For more information please review the OnCall Full Program Description or OnCall Information and reach out to californiawildfirerelief@allhandsandhearts.org with any questions.
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