Overview

The Inclusive Volunteering Pathways to Employment Program (the Program) supports individuals with disability or mental health conditions through a volunteering opportunity as a pathway to employment.

This Program received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, and is delivered by VolunteeringACT, Volunteering Tasmania, and The Centre for Volunteering New South Wales.

The Program supports:

  • volunteer involving organisations with training, resources, and one-on-one coaching to build inclusive volunteer opportunities and connect with motivated volunteers participating in the Program
  • people with disability or mental health conditions (participants) to find a volunteer role in the ACT and surrounding areas
  • people who wish to volunteer as mentors to provide general guidance and moral support to participants during their volunteering journey.

  • One-on-one support for participants to identify their professional and personal goals and to find volunteering opportunities that help work towards those goals.
  • Ongoing support to ensure the participant’s volunteering experience is meaningful and enjoyable. 
  • Access to Volunteer Mentors who can attend volunteer shifts with participants and provide support as they work towards their goals.
  • Tailored support, resources, and training for organisations to equip them with the skills and knowledge to reduce and remove barriers to involving volunteers living with disability or mental health conditions.
  • Inclusion training for organisations to improve their culture, practices and processes around inclusion. 

The program does not place participants in paid employment positions and cannot guarantee paid employment during, or at the end of, participation in the Program.

2020-2025 Impact Report

According to our 2020-2025 Impact Report, the Program has successfully increased capacity for inclusion within a range of organisations while also supporting the development, confidence and community engagement of program participants.

Since 2020, the Program has supported more than 330 participants and 780 volunteer involving organisations across the ACT, NSW, and Tasmania.

Award winning program!

The Inclusive Volunteering Pathways to Employment Program was the Winner of the 2023 Inclusion in Business Award, part of the ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards.

The ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards celebrate people with disability who are leaders in our community and acknowledges the outstanding achievements of Canberra businesses, organisations and individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to encourage, welcome and support people with disability in their workplace, business and community.

The Awards acknowledge inclusive leaders across four categories:

  • Recognising people with disability who are leaders in inclusion
  • Excellence and innovation in community access and inclusion
  • Achieving inclusion through supporting the independence and wellbeing of people with disability
  • Championing rights protection and justice