The Importance of Diversity in Volunteer Recruitment

Did you know that people living in the least deprived areas of the UK are more than twice as likely to formally volunteer than those living in the most deprived areas? That may not come as a total surprise. Not everyone has the time or resources to get involved. But surely, it’s our responsibility, as a sector, to make sure opportunities are accessible to diverse volunteers.

The charity sector has never needed volunteers more—we’ve seen a 16% rise in the number of volunteer roles posted on our site in the last year—and the demand for those roles isn’t keeping pace. So it’s never been more important to make sure you’re being as inclusive as possible when advertising volunteer roles, to make sure you attract the widest possible pool of candidates.

Creating an inclusive volunteer environment isn’t just welcoming—it’s fair. Equality is about more than ticking boxes; it’s about recognising that individual volunteers are different and ensuring equal access to the opportunities available. Every volunteer brings something special to the table, and the more you diversify, the more your charity gains.

How to recruit diverse volunteers

A big part of widening your reach is evaluating how you currently present your volunteer opportunities. Are you putting good people off without even realising it?

Consider things like the language used in adverts and any imagery posted on your website. All these factors can subconsciously deter certain demographics of people.

If you want to ensure you’re appealing to every type of candidate, consider the following the next time you post a volunteer ad:

1. Keep accessibility in mind

According to Scope, 23% of working adults in the UK are disabled. The problem is that most websites fail to meet even the basic accessibility standards, and that ostracises people with limitations who may want to get involved in your cause.

By ensuring your volunteering adverts meet accessibility standards, you create more opportunities for people with disabilities to get involved in charity work. The Government Communication Service recommends using good colour contrasts and a readable font. They have lots of useful advice for making your digital content accessible.

Language is an important part of this as well. Think about how you present yourself and the opportunities available: do you use a lot of jargon, acronyms or complicated words? That can be hard for people with reading or learning difficulties. Try to keep your messaging clear and easy to read wherever possible.

2. Make sure any imagery reflects the diverse volunteers you’re trying to attract

Always use images that reflect the ethos of your organisation and speak to a diverse range of communities. You want your volunteers to see themselves in your charity; if that lack of representation is there, they might feel less comfortable to apply.

But be wary of stereotypes. We’re all different, and if you lean into misconceptions (i.e. that all mature people have grey hair or all young people are students) it can actually alienate more people than it can entice.

3. Be transparent about expenses and time commitments

Although most volunteers understand that their work won’t be compensated, there’s still the question of expenses. Are you willing to pay for their lunches? What about the commute to get to you? And will you reimburse money spent on childcare during their volunteer involvement?

If you want to attract more diverse volunteers, you might want to consider reimbursing expenses. That way, you’re not limiting opportunities only to people who have the financial means to help out. By making it clear on the volunteer ad that you’re helping with expenses, you’re showing that you value your volunteers and are actively ensuring that financial barriers don’t exist.

But remember, volunteers should only be paid for out-of-pocket expenses. Anything more than that and you run the risk of violating minimum wage legislation.

4. Include an equal opportunities statement

If you’re committed to diversity, then say so. Put it in your volunteer ad and encourage people from all backgrounds, demographics, genders, sexualities, physical/mental capabilities, ages and ethnicities to get involved. This shows that you take the issue seriously and are committed to inclusivity.

Despite volunteers not generally being covered by equal opportunities legislation, it’s still good practice to include them in whatever policies you might have.

5. Be aware of the many barriers that might get in the way

You might not even realise you’ve created barriers that keep people from volunteering with you. First, you need to recognise where you could improve. Then, you have to change the way you do things. If you want to ensure more diversity and inclusion volunteering at your charity, consider doing the following:

• Offer a variety of volunteering roles that require different levels of skill and commitment,
• Organise transport when necessary,
• Ensure all your buildings are fully accessible (where possible),
• Provide appropriate training and support,
• Minimise the amount of form filling volunteers have to do,
• Create targeted recruitment campaigns that appeal to under-represented groups.

Promoting diversity within your organisation

Remember, diversity is a holistic commitment. If you want to improve the overall diversity of your charity, you can’t just target one element of your organisation and hope the rest follows suit.

Educate and support your staff. And above all, empower your people. The more you do to support your volunteers—no matter where they come from or what they bring to the table—the more likely they are to come back and help take your charity to the next level.

Need extra help recruiting volunteers? Learn how posting a free volunteer job on CharityJob can connect you with diverse and motivated individuals.

This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated to ensure relevance and to reflect the current job seeker experience.