Youth volunteering in Australia: An evidence review (2015)

01/09/2016

This is a comprehensive review of the current knowledge, issues, and statistics on youth volunteering in Australia. It is very valuable for anyone or any organisation working with, or intending to develop, youth volunteers.

Summary

“This report is a survey of the evidence on the extent and impact of young people’s volunteering and social participation in Australia. It also provides an analysis of effective interventions and strategies for strengthening volunteering among young people aged 12 to 25.” (from Executive Summary).

It includes substantial references.

The review reports on known statistics as well as identifying issues which may lead to under-reporting or the lack of identification of an activity as volunteering (for example, coaching a junior sporting team). It also asks whether ‘required volunteering’ (such as that required by schools of all students) is really volunteering, although noting that this can lead to increased later volunteering.

The review looks at policy matters such as incentives and promotion of volunteering as well as support for young people. The importance of non-traditional methods of communication for volunteering organisations wishing to contact young people is also noted. It includes examples of successful programs and measures of success.

 

Reference: Youth volunteering in Australia: An evidence review. Walsh L., & Black, R. (2015).   Report prepared for the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth. Canberra: ARAC

Available from: https://docs.education.gov.au/documents/youth-volunteering-australia-evidence-review

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