This report provides an analysis and evaluation of information gathered as part of a series of consultations with individuals and organisations regarding the inclusion of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals in mainstream volunteering. With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of the volunteering are enormous. Volunteering offers help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for the volunteer. Giving in simple ways can help those in need and improve health and happiness, increase self-esteem and wellbeing.

During these three months, as Bi-cultural Volunteer Support Officer, I have explored challenges that many New and Emerging communities are facing to enter into mainstream volunteering. There are a number of barriers faced by new and emerging communities to come and support the hospital and the local communities with regards to language, transportation and family and community commitments.

People arriving as refugees face many barriers in the initial settlement period, often due to lack of English skills, sometimes low literacy skills, and disrupted schooling because of conflict and time spent in refugee camps.

The LMVA Bi-Cultural volunteering program aims to connect new and emerging community members with the Lyell McEwin and Modbury Hospitals, the Association and the local community. This program has enabled the Association and the Hospitals in promoting and building a vibrant and strong volunteering community that is inclusive, respected and sustainable.

From the evaluation and the consultations with the individuals, new and emerging community members do come with the skills from overseas. Often it is only the inability to understand and speak English that becomes a barrier to volunteering.

To overcome this barrier and meet the current needs, new volunteering projects such as -

sewing and dress making,
wood work and simple carpentry,
arts and crafts
and dancing skills

- may close the gap between the mainstream volunteering society and new and emerging community volunteers. Such projects will be beneficial to the volunteers who may practice their English communication through role plays and conversational English.

Australia being a multicultural country, it is important to acknowledge where a person comes from and their experience of volunteerism in their own country may strongly influence how they recognise, understand, access and participate in volunteering in Australia.

Myself being from a refugee background and new and emerging community, I want to make sure that I reach to where I want to and willing to help by contributing to society in whatever way possible to make myself feel that I am a part of Australian society.

Kamal Dahal