- Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers
An Andrews Labor Government initiative is breaking barriers and encouraging a more diverse and inclusive volunteering community in Victoria.
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan today met with hundreds of sector leaders at the Victoria ALIVE Leader Breakfast, and thanked them for their incredible work to make Victoria more inclusive for volunteers with disability through the new Victoria ALIVE program.
The breakfast included a keynote speech from Dylan Alcott AOM, who highlighted the benefits of a diverse workforce and the broad range of skills people with a disability can bring to a workplace.
The Victoria ALIVE program is the result of a new partnership between Volunteering Victoria and Neighbourhood Houses Victoria and is designed to help people with disability to participate in the Victorian volunteering community.
Victoria ALIVE has undertaken research and created tailored materials and training programs to empower the community and volunteer organisations to more actively engage people with disability.
The Labor Government has invested $5 million over four years to create new economic participation opportunities for people with disability.
More than 1.5 million Victorians participate in formal volunteering activities each year. Many more contribute through informal volunteering and community support.
For more information on The Victoria ALIVE project visit victoriaalive.org.au
As stated by Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan
"Whether it's down at the local footy club, at your library, out planting trees or in an animal shelter, you'll find volunteers everywhere making Victoria the best place to live.
"It's on us to recognise the incredible contribution volunteers with disability are making for our communities, and to break down every barrier so that they can volunteer effectively."
As noted by Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers Anthony Carbines
"Victoria ALIVE is an incredible program, I'm proud to support their important work and to support people with disability actively engage in our communities."
As stated by Volunteering Victoria chief executive Scott Miller
"Volunteering increases social connections, creates pathways to employment and improves quality of life outcomes. We're doing everything we can to open up the sector and engage people with disabilities as much as possible."
