WA Volunteering Strategy and WA Government Action Plan

Data shows uneven trends in Australian volunteering. People are motivated to volunteer for different reasons including wanting to make a difference, meet new people, use their skills and experience in a positive way, or simply have a passion for a particular cause. Understanding these trends and issues will enable volunteer-involving organisations to adapt and develop targeted volunteering that suit the needs and preferences of potential volunteers. 

Example of current actions:  

• The Mental Health Commission has developed several initiatives to strengthen a culture of engagement at the Mental Health Commission and encourage quality engagement across the sector. ‘Stakeholder Connect’ is the Mental Health Commission’s primary communication tool, aiming to engage with all Western Australians, including the valued and important input and consideration of volunteers active in this space. With specific considerations for those volunteers who have lived experience of mental health, those who volunteer in the sector, or are interested in learning more about mental health and alcohol and other issues, ‘Stakeholder Connect’ provides an avenue for engagement and collaboration for all sectors of the mental health community with volunteering. 
  This initiative supports Strategy Outcome 1: The volunteering sector can recognise and respond to the changing needs of volunteers and Action 1.2: Investigate and create opportunities for engagement and collaboration across the volunteering sector.  

Diversity brings with it different skills, experiences and perspectives that can benefit organisations and the community. However, people from diverse backgrounds may face barriers that prevent them from volunteering. Understanding what prevents or deters people from volunteering will enable organisations to develop targeted and tailored engagement strategies.

Example of current actions:

• The Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, funded by the Department of Communities Youth Development Services Program, drives the positive outcomes that can be achieved through volunteering for young people. Gaining new skills, broadening networks, building confidence, exploring career opportunities and potentially even discovering a lifelong passion are outcomes reported by the participants. Last year, youth volunteers gave over 27,500 hours to Leeuwin Ocean Adventure. Leeuwin volunteers are needed on the ship during voyages and day sails and for routine maintenance. Volunteers often represent Leeuwin Ocean Adventure at school, university and career expos and for functions on board the ship while she’s docked at Fremantle. This initiative supports Strategy Outcome 2: More Western Australians, from all backgrounds, are engaged in volunteering and enriched by the experience and Action 2.6 promote skills development that can be gained through volunteering opportunities.

The capacity of volunteer-involving organisations to attract, engage, manage and retain volunteers is critical to positive volunteering experiences and the sector’s sustainability. Volunteer involving organisations may require support and resources to manage volunteers and respond to emerging challenges, opportunities and changes.

Example of current actions:

• Lotterywest is committed to strengthening community connection within the WA community and supports volunteer organisations through associated grants program. A not-for-profit volunteer organisation, the Darling Range Wildlife Shelter treats, cares for and rehabilitates Australian native wildlife. In recent times, the organisation received a 55 per cent increase in sick or injured animals placing pressure on their resources. Addressing this, Lotterywest supported Darling Range Wildlife Shelter to meet volunteer need by:
  • funding a fit-out of volunteer facilities;
  • purchasing items such as new intensive care units and food processing equipment to improve the quality of care it can provide to injured animals; and
  • providing a paid position for a five-month period to oversee project delivery and improve processes. including volunteer training and orientation.

The new volunteer facilities included a training building that can accommodate up to 30 people per session for orientations, inductions and trainings allowing the organisation to increase its capacity of volunteering to address the increased demand for service.

This initiative supports Strategy Outcome 4: Communities and organisations can involve volunteers effectively for their mutual benefit and Action 3.3 manage State-wide procurement and grant programs to increase capacity of volunteering and understanding of local community need.

Meaningful recognition is one way to motivate and retain volunteers. Community-wide promotion and celebration of the value of volunteering is critical to maintaining and sustaining a culture of volunteering.

Example of current actions:

• Volunteers provide crucial support to numerous programs administered by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. These projects include the Wildcare Helpline, campground hosting at some of our most popular national parks, and track, trail and park maintenance. Volunteers can be involved in in all aspects of departmental work from administrative roles up to science-focused projects such as flora and fauna monitoring, feral animal control and cataloguing native seed specimens at the WA herbarium. On an annual basis more than 6,200 volunteers contribute approximately 870,000 hours to Parks and Wildlife Service projects across WA. Strategies to support the work of the Parks and Wildlife Service volunteers include a specific reward program providing registered volunteers with annual park passes, limited edition badges featuring WA native fauna and flora species, plus discounts on Parks and Wildlife Service publications and subscriptions. This initiative supports Strategy Outcome 5: Volunteers are recognised and celebrated, Strategy Outcome 6: Volunteering is recognised and valued for the contribution it makes to our communities and Action 4.1 Acknowledge volunteer contribution to community through award programs.

Read more about our Strategy and Action Plan by downloading the documents below.