Volunteering is more than just giving time, it’s a chance to create positive change in our community.
At Good Sammy Enterprises, every volunteer plays a crucial role in supporting employment and training opportunities for Western Australians with disability.
"People with intellectual disabilities face an unemployment rate of 20 per cent, more than four times that of people without disability. Volunteers are vital in addressing this disparity," Good Sammy Enterprises CEO Kane Blackman explained.
By contributing to Good Sammy’s many initiatives, volunteers help people with disability gain valuable skills, build confidence, and achieve greater independence. This support is essential for creating a more inclusive workforce and society.
Mr Blackman said volunteers are “the backbone of Good Sammy”.
“Their dedication and hard work help us create a supportive environment for people with disability to achieve their employment goals. They are critical in driving our purpose forward and building a more inclusive and sustainable community,” he said.
“Whether you have a few hours a week or a few days a month, your involvement can make a significant impact.”
Good Sammy offers a variety of volunteer opportunities tailored to different interests and skills. From assisting in retail stores to contributing to initiatives in recycling, hospitality, or e-commerce, each volunteer helps create inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
Good Sammy also welcomes corporate volunteer groups, providing companies with an opportunity to give back to the community while encouraging team building and employee engagement.
“We are seeing lots of corporates looking for opportunities to engage their staff and give back while team building. Good Sammy has become that place to achieve that. For us, it increases peoples’ visibility about disability and that is great,” Mr Blackman said.
“We also recognise that being a volunteer is critical for someone to gain experience and act as a stepping stone to employment. There is just so much to be gained from getting involved and trying something new.”
To learn more about volunteering opportunities at Good Sammy and how you can get involved, visit www.goodsammy.com.au/volunteer.
A vital resource to keep children safe
Homegrown safety education charity Constable Care Foundation relies on its volunteers to help run the Constable Care Safety School in Maylands. The popular outdoor excursion destination gives children the essential hands-on experience of negotiating bike, pedestrian, and passenger hazards in a safe and realistic urban environment.
The Foundation's Chief Executive Ian Anstee said their tightknit group of devoted “vollies” each clocked up one day per week supporting primary-aged children at the experiential learning centre.
“We literally would not be able to operate the Safety School if it weren’t for our dedicated volunteers,” he said.
“Tragically, road trauma remains a leading cause of death and serious injury for WA children, so our volunteers are actually saving lives by ensuring there is enough staff to host as many students as possible.”
As the only centre of its kind in WA, the Safety School performs a crucial function in helping prevent road and rail tragedies. Since opening in late 2017, more than 45,000 children have visited the facility, with a record 6,426 coming through its doors last financial year.
Mr Anstee said volunteers also gave up their time to work at Constable Care Foundation’s Lost Child Points, reuniting children and vulnerable people with their caregivers at Perth’s busy major event program and local community events. Some stalwarts have been volunteering for the iconic WA not-for-profit for more than a decade.
“Keeping children and young people safe from harm is a fundamental responsibility of any society,” he said. “Our passionate volunteers are vital in achieving this mission. In doing so, they are saving countless young lives.”
Find out more about Constable Care Foundation and how you can get involved and contribute to its cause.
By Hearts and Minds
