New guidance on Equality and Diversity monitoring for volunteers
There is no shortage of information about whyand how diversity is important or about how to attract a greater diversity of volunteers. The Wales Volunteering Policy network did, however, identify a lack of guidance as to how, in practice to set about collecting, storing and monitoring data, and has sought to redress this.
The Information sheet on Equality and Diversityin Volunteering explains what we mean by the terms, ‘equality’ and ‘diversity’ and why these deserve our attention when recruiting and managing volunteers. It highlights the benefits of a diverse pool of volunteers and makes suggestions as to how to go about achieving and maintaining this.
Website articles on the topic include Equality, Diversity and Managing Volunteers and DiversityBlindspots, both of which advocate broadening diversity and make some practical suggestions.
Widening access to volunteering is a strong theme of the recent Welsh Government Volunteering Policy Supporting Communities, Changing Lives . It is seen as an equal opportunities matter; people of all ages and backgrounds have the right to volunteer and so we should be alert to identifying and removing the obstacles that hinder their involvement.
There has been very little guidance on the really practical questions about Equal Opportunities and diversity monitoring in relation to volunteers - such as what information to collect, how and when to do this, whether it should be anonymous, and what to do with the information collected.
There is no single correct answer to these questions. It will depend on the particular reasons for collecting information and the practical circumstances. A new information sheet has been put together by members of the Wales Volunteering Policy Network which outlines different practical options, their advantages and disadvantages. This will help organisations to think more carefully about what will work the best for them and will hopefully guide them on their way.