Overview

Creating a judgement free safe space for volunteers is important to ensure everyone feels welcomed and included and can benefit your entire organisation, with staff and volunteers feeling happier and being more productive.

This can be particularly important for volunteers who are new to Australia and the Australian culture, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals going through life transitions.

Additional information is available on Engaging Volunteers with Disability Article.

Additional information is available on Engaging Newly Arrived Migrants Article.

Videos

The following videos provide further information that can assist you in creating a welcoming and safe volunteer space.

Psychosocial Support & Inclusion for Volunteers Going Through Life Transitions

Created in partnership with Sector Connect, this video explores various life transitions an individual may go through and the psychosocial support that organisations can provide to support their volunteers, staff and the individual.

Additional Resources

These downloadable resources, developed under the National Volunteer Managment Program, will provide you with some considerations for creating a welcoming and safe space within your volunteer involving organisation.

Managing Difficult Conversations and Discrimination Bias - Having difficult conversations with your volunteers is often an inevitable part of volunteer management.  With preparation, planning and consideration to yourself and yur volunteer, these conversations can be successful and achieve the desired outcomes.

Rainbow Stickers and Displays of Inclusion - Rainbow stickers used genuinely show support, inclusion and solidarity with the LGBTIQA+ community, they are a welcoming symbol.  Volunteers who haven’t disclosed that they are part of the LGBTIQA+ family, see they will be accepted in your organisation. 

Strategies to Use Personal Pronouns Effectively - Encouraging the usage of personal pronouns can be an effective way to encourage inclusion and to minimise misgendering.  Incorporating them in signage, name tags, signatures and digital communications can also be a great way to support use throughout your organisation.

What is the Future of Inclusivity - Creating an inclusive and diverse workplace opens your organisation and volunteer program up to a larger pool of volunteers.  With a diverse group of volunteers your program can benefit from new ideas, skills and potential ways of doing things that will enhance your program and set you up for greater success.

Acknowledgement

This resource has been developed under the National Volunteer Management Activity project.