Volunteer contributions vital for community wellbeing

International Volunteer Day, celebrated annually across the globe on 5 December, helps to raise awareness of the important role volunteers play in responding to challenges facing the world. 

Activ and genU CEO Clare Amies said the selfless contribution from volunteers was vital for maintaining the wellbeing of customers and clients, supporting large community events, and helping foster the spirit of community connection.

Thanks to a huge wave of support, the 2024 Chevron City to Surf for Activ was fuelled in part by 700 dedicated volunteers taking on a variety of tasks, pre- and post-event. Ms Amies said the volunteer effort included packing participant bib packs for posting out to entrants, bib collection and assignment in the lead up to the event. 

“On the day, volunteers play a vital role in many areas, such marshalling at the start line, handing out fruit and water, assisting Activ staff at the help desk, and maintaining aid stations along the route,” she said. “We estimate our volunteers donate about 3,000 hours of their time to the event, which is outstanding, and without this help, the Chevron City to Surf for Activ wouldn’t be the success it is, raising money for West Australians with disability.”

Chevron City to Surf for Activ volunteers at the 50th anniversary of the charity fundraiser this year.

Ms Amies said survey feedback post-event showed respondents were driven to volunteer by the chance to give back to the community and support the Activ Foundation, with more than 90 per cent rating the experience as ‘very enjoyable’.

Ms Amies said corporate volunteers connected to Activ weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty to help beautify popular spaces. “Through two corporate giveback days, Chevron Australia and Nova 93.7 helped with garden makeovers for community hubs in Perth,” Ms Amies said. “These corporate days are win-wins, with the act of giving back allowing our corporate partners to enjoy team building while seeing first-hand how their work is improving the lives of others.” 

At genU, the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme and Community Transport Program in Victoria and Tasmania are examples of how volunteers support their local community. From driving people to medical appointments to having a cuppa with someone needing company, Ms Amies said volunteers ensured those being served feel connected to their community.

“More than 170 volunteers connected to genU donated 8,000 hours to serving our communities in the last financial year,” Ms Amies said. “We know this has a positive impact on so many people, who rely on this support and value those who provide it.”

Knitting warmth for WA mothers and babies in need

The Women and Infants Research Foundation’s selfless volunteers work to support the Foundation, the hospital and its patients and staff.

One volunteer is Year 9 St Stephen’s School student Mackenzie Carter, who has dedicated much of her year to knitting blankets with her grandmother, Marie Jack, for newborns in need at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH).

The duo’s knitted creations were donated to the Women and Infants Research Foundation’s Baby Bundles program, which provides essential babywear and blankets to babies born prematurely, in emergencies, or to mothers in desperate situations at KEMH.

WIRF volunteers, Mackenzie Carter and her grandmother, Marie Jack. 

The project has enabled Mackenzie and her grandmother to spend quality time together while providing warm blankets for mothers and babies in crisis situations. “It was really enjoyable working on this project. We knitted together, watched movies, and shared so many special moments. Every spare moment of Mackenzie’s time this year was spent knitting, and we’re thrilled with how the blankets have turned out. We hope they will be a beautiful treasure for years to come," Mrs Jack said. 

Women and Infants Research Foundation Chief Executive Officer Deb Portughes expressed gratitude for Mackenzie and Marie’s contribution. “The birth of a baby is often a moment of joy, but it can also be a challenging time for many families. The Baby Bundles program provides not only essentials but also keepsakes that can offer comfort during a critical time,” Ms Portughes said.

“We are immensely proud of our volunteers. Their hard work and commitment directly benefits women and babies in WA through our research and by supporting patients and visitors to King Edward Memorial Hospital,” she said.

People who volunteer with the Women and Infants Research Foundation work in the Foundation’s Café, Gift Shop or Op Shop, located at the hospital. Some also provide social work support, or coordinate Baby Bundles for the social work department to provide to families in need.

To get involved with the Women and Infants Research Foundation’s Volunteers Program visit https://wirf.com.au/volunteering or phone (08) 6458 1437. 

As Christmas approaches, the Foundation encourages community members to support the initiative. Find out more at https://wirf.raiselysite.com.

Volunteering at Foodbank

“Our volunteers are our lifeblood. Their commitment means that we can make a difference in the lives of others,” Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara said.

“Volunteering provides an opportunity to develop new skills, to gain valuable experience and build self-confidence, all while giving back to the community," she said.

“The rewards of volunteering extend beyond just personal growth, seeing the impact of the work they do firsthand reinforces the importance of compassion, and the gratitude seen by those benefiting from the service provided is a powerful reminder of the good in humanity."

Ray, a volunteer from Bunbury, said: "I like volunteering because I get to meet people, I help return things to the community, and it’s part of my life.

“I thought when I retired I’d sit home all day and do nothing, but that just doesn’t work. You have to get out amongst the community; otherwise, you become a couch potato.”

Peel volunteers at Foodbank.

The Golden Girls, a group of Perth women who, for years, have volunteered their time at Foodbank every fortnight, said they enjoy saving food that would have otherwise been wasted.

“We’re women who have raised families, cooked and organised kitchens. We turn our hand to anything. We’re all physically quite strong and we enjoy the cooking side of it," one of the volunteers, Ros, said.

“None of us like food waste and we like the intelligent way that food is rescued from landfill. It’s intelligent use of a material that would otherwise have been abandoned.”

Ms O'Hara added: “Volunteering is a selfless act that rewards so many. A volunteers empathy strengthens communities and fosters hope, making the world a better place."

Find out about Foodbank’s volunteer opportunities in Perth.