Action Plan launched in Western Australia to enrich volunteer experiences

With this week being National Volunteer Week - Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering – the Western Australian Government has launched a Volunteering Strategy Action Plan 2023-2026 (Action Plan) to enrich volunteer experiences and strengthen the next generation of volunteers.

National Volunteer Week is celebrated in May each year, with thousands of events and activities taking place across the country. Volunteering WA note “In Western Australia, it is an opportunity to connect and celebrate the diverse volunteering stories across the state.”

Volunteers play a significant role by building community capacity and increasing self-sufficiency and inclusiveness through active social and civic participation.

Developed to support the WA Volunteering Strategy which was launched in 2017, the State Government’s Action Plan is a response to the changing needs of volunteers. This includes the unforeseen challenges of natural disasters and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WA Volunteering Minister Stephen Dawson shares "This Action Plan outlines a number of initiatives over the next three years that will help volunteers and volunteer organisations, so the sector can continue to grow and thrive.”

The Action Plan focuses on delivering initiatives over the next three years to meet six key outcomes:

• the volunteering sector can recognise and respond to the changing needs of volunteers;

• more Western Australians, from all backgrounds, are engaged in volunteering and enriched by the experience;

• the volunteering sector harnesses technological innovation to facilitate participation;

• communities and organisations can involve volunteers effectively for their mutual benefit;

• volunteers are recognised and celebrated; and

• volunteering is recognised and valued for the contribution it makes to our communities.

25 activities, a mix of strategic initiatives and on-ground projects, will see a State-wide, whole-of-government approach to supporting, recognising and promoting volunteering across WA.

For more information go to www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/wa-volunteering-strategy-and-wa-government-action-plan