Voluntary Sector Support Guidance

Diversify your volunteer base: People of the global majority

Overview

People of the global majority – those from non-white ethnic backgrounds including Black, Asian, mixed heritage and other communities – are significantly underrepresented in volunteering across the UK.

Despite this, recent National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) data shows that individuals from these communities are more likely than others to seek out volunteering opportunities. One in five non-volunteers from the global majority have looked into volunteering in the past year, compared to just 12% of non-volunteers overall.

Key Challenges and Barriers to Participation

Volunteers from the global majority often face systemic and cultural barriers that may limit their engagement. These may include:

Language barriers for those whose first language is not English
Uncertainty around where and how to access volunteering opportunities
Racism, both direct and indirect, including institutional exclusion - a 2020 survey from the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) found that 68% of respondents had experienced, witnessed or heard stories about racism in their time in the charity sector.
Isolation, which could manifest as a fear of being the only volunteer from a global majority background
Cultural disconnect, which may include a lack of awareness of faith-based needs or dietary requirements

An NCVO survey found that global majority volunteers are twice as likely to feel excluded and less likely to feel a sense of belonging within organisations. Younger volunteers (aged 18-34) from these backgrounds are also more likely to be disabled than their peers.

Practical Suggestions for Engagement

Recruitment

Avoid tokenism - diversity should never be tick-box exercise
Use clear, straightforward language in all communications (external and internal)
Offer multiple recruitment pathways: digital, print, word of mouth, and through community networks
Showcase diverse volunteers in promotional materials
Simplify entry processes to encourage first-time volunteers - NCVO research found that a quick and easy entry process is more likely to encourage global majority non-volunteers to take up volunteering compared to non-volunteers overall (16% vs 10%)

Role Design

Provide a range of roles to suit different skills and interests
Ensure flexibility - many global majority volunteers prefer one-off or dip-in/dip-out opportunities (according to NCVO research)
Align roles with causes that matter to global majority volunteers (e.g. religious or community based work - according to NCVO research global majority volunteers are over twice as likely to volunteer for a religious cause)
Refer to NCVO guidance on creating accessible and inclusive roles

Volunteer Experience

Foster a culture of trust, respect and recognition
Offer culturally sensitive training and development to all volunteers
Be open to learning about different cultures and faiths
Consider practical accommodations like prayer spaces, Halal food options, flexible scheduling during religious observances etc

Faith and Cultural Considerations

Faith plays a significant role in volunteering for many people of the global majority. Organisations should:

Avoid assumptions - let individuals express their own needs
Provide space for prayer or reflection
Respect dietary restrictions and fasting periods
Be flexible with scheduling around religious holidays
Understand that individuals may observe different aspects of their faith in different ways

Additional Resources for Further Reading

ACEVO - Home Truths: Undoing racism and delivering real diversity in the charity sector
Charity So White - A resource to spark discussions of how to tackle racism in the charity sector
NCVO - Time Well Spent 2023: Volunteering Among the Global Majority