From Receivers to Givers aims to encourage the ongoing engagement of people from new and emerging communities in volunteering. The program seeks to promote organisational change within mainstream agencies, raising awareness of benefits of engaging volunteers from culturally diverse backgrounds and supporting interested community members to get involved in volunteering.

Madeleine Nguidjol is Whittlesea Council’s Work Ready Project Officer, a program offering newly arrived adults from migrant and refugee backgrounds a 12 week work placement at the Council. Madeleine herself started at the Council as a volunteer and was pivotal in spear-heading this award-winning initiative that matches skilled migrants with work-experience positions.

Kelsey Schwabe is the Acting Manager of the Ecumenical Migration Centre, which sits within the Brotherhood of St. Laurence. Kelsey discusses how adopting good practice in the management of volunteers has overcome challenges and provides practical tips to other organisations which will assist them in creating a valuable, diverse workplace.