News & Resources
Change Makers this Volunteer Week
This week is National Volunteer Week (NVW), which is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. The week-long event recognises the vital support that the millions of volunteers in Australia provide to their communities and encourages people to consider volunteering.
We have over 150 volunteers who help run our local community programs. Without the support and generosity of our volunteers, these programs simply would not exist.
National Volunteer Week 2023 has the theme of “The Change Makers” and is a celebration of our power to drive change and ensure volunteering is inclusive of all members of the community.
This volunteer week we would like to highlight one of our Change Makers Anna. Anna has been volunteering with us for 3 years now and dedicates around 3 hrs a week to meeting up with 2 clients. She also takes the time to check in over the phone with a third client.
When asked why she decided to volunteer, Anna said “I’m from overseas and when I moved to Australia, I felt that if I couldn’t be overseas supporting my family, then I could help someone’s family here. I found out about the Community Programs through a Facebook group.”
Anna does a range of activities including helping with shopping, going for coffee, going on walks, and bringing her dogs. She also helps out with technology if need be. Sometimes it’s as simple as going to a client’s house for a chat or giving them a call.
“For (client) Christiane, I think she finds it nice to have a different and neutral person to talk to outside of her family and friends. We both speak a number of languages too, so we frequently speak in French. She often returns home happy and relaxed after our visit.” Anna explains.
As volunteers like Anna know, spending time with clients not only benefits the client but their family too. It can often ease some of the responsibility of family members or carers and give them much needed respite.
Asked why people might consider volunteering themselves, Anna explains “Volunteering is very fulfilling and even a small amount of time volunteering can be very enjoyable. You are making a difference.”
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our volunteers including Anna.
To find out more about the rewarding experience volunteering can be, go to:
Pictured above: Christiane (Left) and Anna (Right)
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