The Strategy Emphasizes the Participation of People with Disabilities in Volunteer Activities.

The Finnish Red Cross’s Strategy for 2027-2029 set a clear objective to make the volunteer base increasingly diverse. One of the goals is to engage more persons with disabilities in Red Cross activities. This is a welcome commitment, as clearly stated objectives encourage concrete actions to turn those ambitions into reality.

At the same time, it is important to reflect on why relatively few persons with disabilities have participated as volunteers within the organization. By identifying the factors behind this, we can make changes that improve opportunities for everyone to take part.

Volunteer roles for everyone

According to the Finnish Red Cross Volunteer Barometer, volunteers are motivated by factors such as the feeling that volunteering is needed, the opportunity to make a positive impact on society, the chance to use their skills to help others, and the sense of belonging to a community that is meaningful to them.

It is essential that everyone who commits to the principles of the Red Cross has the opportunity to experience these benefits.

The Red Cross offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for anyone interested in getting involved. Activities range from emergency preparedness to health promotion, and each area includes a variety of different roles. People can participate in person or volunteer online.

Because such a broad range of opportunities is available, volunteering can be adapted to different abilities and circumstances.

Accessibility and inclusion matter

At present, participation in volunteer activities may be hindered by barriers such as inaccessible premises or difficulties in accessing information.

Accessibility means designing physical spaces so that everyone can use them as smoothly and independently as possible. An accessible venue can also be navigated using mobility aids.

I encourage local branches to identify barriers within their facilities and consider what improvements can be made. Branches could also publish accessibility information on their websites, including details about entrances (for example, the presence of steps, ramps, or thresholds), door widths, elevator access, and accessible toilets.

Accessible communication means designing websites and digital materials so that information is available to everyone. Whenever websites, documents, videos, or training materials are developed or updated, it is important to consider how the content can be accessed by volunteers and prospective volunteers who may not be able to see or hear the material.

Some persons with disabilities benefit from easy-to-read language. It is important that information about the Red Cross and its volunteer opportunities is available in clear and accessible Finnish. In the future, more materials, training opportunities, and volunteer information should also be offered in easy-to-read formats.

Safer spaces enable equal participation

To achieve the policy objective of encouraging more persons with disabilities to find their place as Red Cross volunteers, we must recognize and address the barriers that currently make participation more difficult.

Accessibility and inclusion promote equality and enhance opportunities for everyone to get involved. For this reason, it is important to stay informed about current accessibility practices and view them as an opportunity to create even better facilities and materials. In doing so, we continue building a more inclusive Red Cross for all.

When discussing diversity, it is also worth revisiting the Red Cross Safer Space Principles.

In particular, I would like to highlight the following:

• Be open.
  • Welcome all new volunteers without prejudice and give everyone the opportunity to participate as themselves.
  • Be open to new ideas and suggestions for improving activities.
• Avoid assumptions.
  • Do not make assumptions about another person's disability status, non-disability, or level of ability. People describe these aspects of their lives in different ways, and some may not wish to discuss them in volunteer settings at all.
  • Similarly, do not assume which volunteer roles may or may not be suitable for someone.
• Enjoy.
  • The purpose of organizational and volunteer activities is to be enjoyable and safe for everyone.
  • If a disability-related issue is unfamiliar to you and raises questions, seek information and learn more about it.
  • Everyone can enjoy volunteering when participation is genuinely equal and accessible.

The Strategy

You can read more about the Finnish Red Cross Strategy 2027-2029 here.

This blog post was written by volunteer Oona Lipponen. She serves on the board of the Kuopio Branch and works as a food aid trainer, as well as a volunteer in food aid, sexual health promotion, substance use support work, and youth community activities. This is a translation from the original blog post.