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Supporting Social Connections: Helping Volunteers Feel Welcome, Connected and Valued

Creating a welcoming volunteer experience starts long before a volunteer’s first shift. This practical module explores Southern Volunteering (SA) Inc.’s five-stage socialisation model and provides volunteer managers with simple strategies to help volunteers feel welcome, connected and valued.

Through real-world scenarios, interactive activities and practical tools, you’ll learn how to build stronger volunteer relationships and support long-term engagement.

Learning intentions

  • Understand the five stages of volunteer socialisation

  • Identify where volunteers may need support when joining a program

  • Make volunteer roles feel more accessible, welcoming and approachable

  • Create stronger first experiences for new volunteers

  • Use buddy systems, check-ins and clear tasks to help volunteers settle in

  • Recognise signs that a volunteer may not be feeling connected

  • Support long-term belonging through recognition, inclusion and feedback

  • Use practical tools to strengthen social connection in your volunteer program

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Get Seen. Get Matched. Get Volunteers: Mastering SEEK Volunteer with the EV Navigation Hub (ORG 3.2)
Supporting Social Connections: Helping Volunteers Feel Welcome, Connected and Valued (ORG 3.3.)
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