STRONGER TOGETHER: Beyond words – What it really means to be an ally

"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya discusses the essence of allyship, emphasising its importance as a continuous commitment to action, listening, learning, and advocating for marginalised communities to create a more just and equitable world.

By IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O'Shea

Prior to commencing work in the not-for-profit space over 25 years ago, I had no idea what a not for profit was, how they operated or the important role that the sector plays within communities. Recognising and advocating for key services and highlighting to funding bodies the social impact being created is essential, ideally demonstrating improvement in quality of life, reductions in inequality and poverty and improved health outcomes for some of the most marginalised.

Allyship was a term that was completely foreign to me, however it is important in a conversation about the value that not for profits provide. It is more than just a term; it’s a commitment to action, a conscious choice to stand up for those who experience harm, oppression, and exclusion. As someone who strives to be an effective ally, I’ve learned that this journey is as much about listening and learning as it is about advocating and trying to be heard by key decision-makers.

At its core, allyship is about recognising the privileges we hold and using them to advocate for and support marginalised communities. It's about asking the right questions and being genuinely curious about the experiences of others, starting with a simple, yet profound, question: "What is the most helpful thing that we could do right now?" This isn’t just a polite inquiry; it’s an invitation to understand someone else's reality, to step outside your own experiences, and to offer support in a way that is underpinned by self-determination and enables the person to maintain their dignity.

Effective allyship requires us to listen without judgment and with the intent to learn. It’s not enough to just hear words; we must understand the lived experiences behind them. This means seeking knowledge independently, not placing the burden of education on those we wish to support. We should continually educate ourselves, using credible resources to better understand the issues faced by those we are advocating for.

One of the most challenging aspects of being an ally is recognising when to step back. It’s essential to be aware of the space we occupy and to ensure that marginalised voices are centred in discussions that affect them. Our role is not to dominate the conversation but to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard.

Allyship also involves a willingness to be corrected and to grow from those experiences. Mistakes are inevitable, but it’s how we respond to them that matters. When someone tells us we’ve gotten it wrong, the appropriate response is gratitude, an apology, and a commitment to do better.

Importantly, allyship isn’t about seeking recognition or accolades. It’s about standing in solidarity, sometimes quietly and sometimes boldly, while always being mindful of the potential risks to both us and those we support.

Ultimately, allyship is not a one-time act but a continuous commitment to standing up for others and working toward a more just and equitable world. Your actions, no matter how small, can make a significant difference.