National Volunteer Week 2024

 Shopping Assistant and Outing Assistant for the Social Inclusion Team

How long have you been working with us as a volunteer?
10 years.

What has motivated you to work as a volunteer for such a long time?
I am happy to be able to do something to help other people.

Please share one heart-warming story/experience from your time as a volunteer.
During the pandemic, I received a call from an 87-year-old customer of the shopping service I regularly assist. Seeing his number, I was concerned it might be an emergency. To my relief, it was simply him checking in to see how I was coping during Covid. His thoughtfulness brought me great joy.

What is the highlight of your volunteering work with us?
Age should never be a barrier to encountering interesting and inspiring individuals. As a volunteer, it's always a delightful surprise to meet older people who are fascinating and incredibly inspiring.

Anything else you like to share with us?
No.

JP Volunteer at Library Services

How long have you been working with us as a volunteer?
I think it's been 10 years now.

What has motivated you to work as a volunteer for such a long time?
I had just retired and felt that I could utilise My JP registration to offset potential boredom and to contribute and assist those who were unsure how to access a JP.

Please share one heart-warming story/experience from your time as a volunteer.
Generally being able to assist the many who were befuddled by the JP process.

What is the highlight of your volunteering work with us?
In general seeing people leave appreciative of the assistance. Particularly those with communication issues - other languages - and impairment.

Anything else you like to share with us?
Across my 10 years the consistent support of Library staff and their courteous manner with even the more 'Challenging' people.

Meals on Wheels Driver at Nutrition Services

How long have you been working with us as a volunteer?
11 years

What has motivated you to work as a volunteer for such a long time?
To utilise my free time in a meaningful way and to contribute to the community.

Please share one heart-warming story/experience from your time as a volunteer.
The client’s appreciation of services provided By Meals on Wheels

What is the highlight of your volunteering work with us?
Working with like-minded volunteer and to know you are helping others.

Anything else you like to share with us?
No.

Reading Buddies, Youth4Youth, Events and Holroyd Centre Volunteer

How long have you been working with us as a volunteer?
I have been working with Cumberland City Council as a volunteer for 2 months. 

What has motivated you to work as a volunteer for such a long time?
A classmate from my Community Services course at TAFE informed me on how the Cumberland City Council has a wonderful volunteer program and how it will enhance my experiences within the community services field. I’ve always wanted to help people growing up so being able to accomplish that is what is keeping me motivated.

Please share one heart-warming story/experience from your time as a volunteer.
While volunteering as a reading buddy at Granville library the kids and I will have a laugh, and everyone will turn to stare at us. We’re really loud in a quiet space.

What is the highlight of your volunteering work with us?
Being able to see everyone’s smiles on their faces after helping out.

Anything else you like to share with us?
No.

Meals on Wheels Driver at Nutrition Services

How long have you been working with us as a volunteer?
About 10 years

What has motivated you to work as a volunteer for such a long time?
Just wanted to do something for people that require help.

Please share one heart-warming story/experience from your time as a volunteer.
I met a man that was 103 years old that still lived at home and looked after himself.

What is the highlight of your volunteering work with us?
Helping others that need it.

Anything else you like to share with us?
Just enjoying the other volunteers/ people - that I work with

English Conversation Class Tutor at Library Services

How long have you been working with us as a volunteer?
About 5 years.

What has motivated you to work as a volunteer for such a long time?
Consistently good company of participants in groups. Tolerant of each other. Wanting to learn.

Please share one heart-warming story/experience from your time as a volunteer.
Steady progress by participants is heartwarming in itself. Today's special moment involved an older man who has lived in Australia for decades but who still uses a cut-down 'dictionary' on his mobile phone. His eyesight is going and the one advantage of reading on the mobile phone is that text can be enlarged. The phone showed the architectural meaning of 'lobby'. But we were using 'lobby' in the sense of a group of people pushing for a cause or, in the case of gambling / tobacco / alcohol, vested profit-making interests. When I gave them the second meaning of 'lobby', the older man was delighted.

Anything else you like to share with us?
If we could get childcare in parallel with the group's meetings, that would be wonderful. I wish...

Meals on Wheels Driver at Nutrition Services

How long have you been working with us as a volunteer?
I have been volunteering with Nutrition Services for approx. - 5 years.

What has motivated you to work as a volunteer for such a long time?
I really enjoy helping others and the community.

Please share one heart-warming story/experience from your time as a volunteer.
I remember delivering meals to a customer who was telling me he had crickets trapped in his ceiling. I went in to have a look and could hear loud chirping, He said I’ve looked but I just can’t see anything.

I heard the noise and told him not to worry - the chirping noise was coming from his smoke detector as it needed new batteries. He was so relieved; said it had been bothering him for weeks… And we laughed. I often think about this and smile.

What is the highlight of your volunteering work with us?
I really enjoy volunteering and it keeps me busy. I enjoy having a good chat with the other volunteers and staff.

Anything else you like to share with us?
I am almost 71, I just had my right hip replaced. I still work part time and volunteer. It feels good to give my time to others 😊