Creating inclusive environments
Creating an inclusive environment is about fostering a space where everyone feels safe, welcome, respected, and valued. It allows those from multicultural communities to share comfortably about their culture and helps to breakdown perceived language and cultural barriers.
‘Practice patience. Give people the time they need to feel comfortable sharing.’
Key to these environments is accessibility. People of all backgrounds should feel like they have equal access to resources and information. Consider your organisation’s working space:
Is the language you use simple, direct, and consistent? Those who speak English as a second language can be put off by convoluted sentences and jargon. It is also worth translating organisation’s materials to better accommodate your volunteers.
Does the physical environment meet the needs of your volunteers? For example, consider spaces that accommodate volunteers with children so they feel more comfortable spending time at your workplace.
Do you account for differences in gender that may exist within cultures? Have discussions with your volunteers about appropriate behaviours and norms, then incorporate that into your practice.
Do you consider the cultural practices of your volunteers? For example, certain religions require their followers to devote set times of the day to prayer. Scheduling meetings or events during those times can create feelings of exclusion.
Do you involve your volunteers in decision making? Bringing volunteers into these discussions can enhance their experience and they can also guide what steps to take in this process.
Another significant part of creating inclusive environments is to recognise and celebrate the different cultures of your staff and volunteers. Find out when important cultural events are happing and ask if you can promote them. Be mindful that volunteers may require time off to celebrate these occasions so plan your work around them. Multicultural Affairs publish a calendar of cultural and religious dates which can be helpful.
Much of this section links back to what was discussed in Looking Inward. You can use the points raised here to help develop an organisational self-assessment or as guidance to implement change.
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TIP – Always include your volunteers. The respectful learning section provides guidance on how to do this.