Volunteers can have unintended impacts

After the 2011 floods, volunteering neighbours reported feeling good about helping others. Some felt privileged to contribute to their community and rejected the idea that their efforts required repayment. Yet, some well-meaning helpers had unintended impacts on vulnerable and sensitive flood survivors. Some reported feeling intruded on, victimised, or guilty about accepting help. 

Nicole George & Alastair Stark (2016) Community resilience and crisis management: policy lessons from the ground, Policy & Politics 

Image: Brisbane, 2011. Credit: Maythee Voran.