Released 22/05/2018
Today I was pleased to launch the ACT Volunteering Statement Action Plan 2018-2021, a whole of government and community approach to supporting and recognising volunteers in our community.
The launch of the Action Plan coincides with National Volunteer Week (21-27 May).
More than one in three Canberrans volunteers. This is the highest rate of volunteering in the country. Volunteers make our city stronger, fairer, more inclusive and more sustainable.
Based around the four principles of the ACT Government’s Volunteering Statement – that volunteering is recognised, valuable, diverse and supported – the Action Plan identifies initiatives and activities that will support individuals to volunteer, increase awareness of volunteering opportunities, and provide organisations with access to resources to ensure safe and sustainable volunteer involvement.
The Action Plan draws on the ideas of hundreds of people across the city and was developed in conjunction with Volunteering and Contact ACT.
Among the initiatives to take place over the three years of the Action Plan, the ACT Government will develop a website to improve access to information on volunteering; Government and community volunteers will work more closely together through Volunteering and Contact ACT’s Network Forum; and Volunteering and Contact will also create more resources to support volunteers.
Progress against the Action Plan will be reported on annually.
I look forward to seeing even more Canberrans volunteering and experiencing all of the personal and community benefits this brings.
To view the ACT Volunteering Action Plan 2018-2021 visit: http://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/home/strategic__policy/act-volunteering_statement
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Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases