Common risks of lone working charity workers and how to mitigate them.

Statistics from the Charity Commission show that there are over 1 million people employed in the charities sector in the UK (January 2025). There are also 924,000 trustee positions and an incredible 6.6 million volunteers supporting charities across the UK.

Charity workers and volunteers often carry out vital work alone in communities. This work can include anything from providing support to vulnerable individuals to running outreach programs. However, lone working is not without its risks, especially in the charity sector where lone workers may encounter volatile & vulnerable people and unknown or dangerous environments. Understanding these risks and taking appropriate steps to mitigate them is therefore essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of lone working charity workers and volunteers. 

Here we discuss the most common risks faced by lone workers in the voluntary sector and how to mitigate them. These should be identified in your lone worker risk assessment and be the focus of your lone worker policy. If you need help with this use our FREE lone worker policy guide:

Violence, aggression, abuse & assault

Charity workers, particularly those working in outreach or visiting vulnerable individuals at their homes, face a significant risk to their personal safety. They may encounter clients or situations that could escalate unexpectedly, leading to potential violence, aggression, or harassment. In addition, when working with vulnerable individuals, such as those experiencing homelessness, addiction, or mental health issues, charity workers may be exposed to physical harm or verbal abuse if these clients exhibit unpredictable or challenging behaviors.

To mitigate these personal safety risks, you should;

• Conduct a thorough risk assessment: Before visiting a new client or location, conduct a thorough risk assessment. This includes considering the history of the client, the environment, and any other relevant factors that could indicate a higher risk.
• Train your lone workers to deal with challenging situations: De-escalation and conflict resolution training will really help them to manage aggressive or challenging behavior.
• Provide a means of reliable communication: Ensure all lone workers have access to a reliable communication device (such as a mobile phone,  personal alarm or lone worker solution) that allows them to call for help in an emergency.

Emotional and mental health risks

Lone charity workers and volunteers, especially those providing direct support to vulnerable people, can be exposed to emotionally demanding situations. Constant exposure to trauma, grief, or distressing circumstances can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, or mental health issues. If not identified and addressed quickly these issues can become seriously debilitating. 

To mitigate these emotional and mental health risks you should; 

• Have regular check-ins with your lone workers and volunteers. During this you can discuss any emotional challenges or difficulties your lone workers may be facing and make plans to address these quickly. 
• Introduce and communicate support systems available to your lone workers. For example, offer access to counseling, peer support groups, and mental health resources to help workers manage emotional stress and deal with distressing situations. 
• Ensure your lone workers have a balanced workload that is manageable and that time for debriefing and regular breaks is built into their schedules.

Isolation & loneliness

Lone working often leads to isolation, especially when charity workers and volunteers are out in the field for long periods with little interaction with others. This isolation can cause feelings of loneliness and disconnection, which can affect mental wellbeing and job satisfaction.

To mitigate the risks of isolation & loneliness:

• Encourage regular team communication with colleagues and managers to maintain a sense of connection. This could be through scheduled phone calls, virtual meetings, or social gatherings.
• Consider implementing a buddy systems where workers have a peer they can call or check in with during or after their shifts for additional support. 
• Allow flexible scheduling of work where possible by allowing workers to adjust their hours and take breaks as needed, to combat feelings of isolation.

Travel & transport risks 

Charity workers who are required to travel between locations, particularly in rural or unfamiliar areas, may encounter travel-related risks such as road accidents, vehicle breakdowns, abusive people on public transport or navigating unsafe or unlit areas when walking.

To mitigate these travelling & transport risks you should:

• Communicate clear travel safety protocols & policies including using trusted routes, checking vehicle conditions, and ensuring lone workers have access to navigation tools and emergency contacts.
• Provide training on how to drive safely, deal with vehicle breakdowns, and how to stay safe when traveling alone.
• Ensure you and your lone workers stay on top of vehicle maintenance by regularly inspecting and maintaining vehicles to prevent breakdowns or mechanical failures during trips.
• Give your lone workers a lone worker device or app to use so they can stay connected whilst travelling and can raise an alarm in an emergency situation. 

Lone worker solutions for charity workers and volunteers

For lone workers working in the charity and voluntary sector we recommend lone worker solutions which include a discreet personal safety device such as an SOS fob or ID card holder with SOS button. This provides vital protection and assistance through;

• A large, discreet SOS panic button to raise an alarm manually during a threatening situation
• The ability to set a timer when entering a risky environment (thus alerting a manager if a timer is not responded to when it elapses).
• Fall detection which automatically raises an alarm in the event of a fall
• Two way voice communications to reassure the lone worker in an emergency situation
• A multi-net SIM which connects to any UK mobile network, keeping your lone workers connected wherever they are.

Lone worker apps for charity workers and volunteers

A mobile app may also be a suitable, and very cost effective solution, for charity workers working alone, depending on the level of risk your lone workers face and the environments they work in. LONEALERT'S lone worker app can be paired with our bluetooth switch for added reassurance and protection. This enables lone workers to directly raise an alarm, bypassing the need to unlock their phone or open the app, AND provides fall detection.

In conclusion, by promoting a safety-first culture across your charity through regular check-ins, providing training, supporting employee wellbeing and providing a reliable means of communication for lone workers, the risks charity workers and volunteers face can be mitigated. This not only improves the welfare of your lone workers but also the overall effectiveness of your charities mission.

If you need support finding the right lone worker solution for your charity call us on 0330 999 8484 or email sales@lonealert.co.uk and a member of our team will be happy to help.