Volunteering
Aged and Disability Services rely on the valuable contribution of volunteers for a range of services, and trains volunteers in their selected area of work. All volunteers are covered by public liability insurance while volunteering. Recent research shows that volunteering can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health.
Enquiries are always welcome – please contact Aged and Disability Services on (02) 6285 6281 Mon to Fri – 8.30am – 4.30pm
What is volunteering?
Volunteer work is based on free choice, being a generously made commitment to use your time and energy for the good of others.
Our volunteers do a wide variety of work in a way which benefits the community, from one-on-one support to working in group situations. You can choose to work in a team or on a one-to-one basis.
Benefits of volunteering
Look at what benefits volunteering can have:
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Improve the well being of individual volunteers by enhancing support networks.
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It is well known that people with strong social support networks have lower premature death rates, less heart disease and fewer health risk factors;
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Increase opportunities for close interpersonal relationships and strengthen a sense of belonging;
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Improve self esteem;
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Heighten a sense of well being, improve insomnia, strengthen the immune system and hasten surgery recovery time;
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Offer people the opportunity to participate in fulfilling activities;
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Make a difference in the lives of others;
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Older adult volunteers live longer than non-volunteers.
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Studies report that engaging in regular volunteer work increases life expectancy because social interaction improves ‘quality of life’.
Rewards of volunteering?
What our volunteers say about the rewards of volunteering:
How much time do I need to give with my volunteer work?
You can work as little as a few hours a month or a couple of hours each week. It’s up to you. Of course we realise that you will need to take time out for holidays, family and other commitments. All we ask is that you give timely notice of planned leave, notice of unexpected unavailability as soon as you can, and that you are regular and committed when you are available.
Some of our programs run outside working hours, the neighbour aid and disability programs, continue on weekends.
Things to consider before volunteering
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Why you want to volunteer
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Your health and energy level. Please don’t commit yourself to a job you might find difficult
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Your personal attributes, likes and dislikes
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Do you want to work 1 on 1 with clients in the community, or prefer group situations
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The needs of your family and the demands of any other responsibilities – avoid promising time which you do not have
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The days and times that you are available and whether you want a regular job or a temporary one
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The skills and experience which you have to offer
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The type of work which you would really enjoy and the people you would like to work with – most of our volunteering opportunities are supporting older people, those with a disability and their carers to stay in their own homes and live independently.
What can I help with?
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Community transport to local medical appointments in Queanbeyan and surrounding areas.
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Assisting clients with local shopping
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Visiting local clients to ease isolation
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Assist with centre based activities and outings
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Accompanying a group on our monthly bus outings
Volunteer opportunities
We have a variety of volunteering opportunities in our many programs
Neighbour Aid - The neighbour aid program aims to meet a person's needs for social interaction and connection. The program operates entirely on the donation of time, passion and the good will we receive from our volunteers. Neighbour aid volunteers are linked with a client of whom they visit at home; have phone contact with; or take out in the community. Volunteers may complete a range of tasks with clients including visiting local attractions together, having a meal or a coffee, reading mail and accompanying individuals to social activities.
Community Transport - The community transport program provides clients with transport to medical appointments and to social and recreational activities. Volunteers may drive clients to their appointments if they require assistance. Current minimum class C drivers licence for vehicles and Minimum LR drivers licence for our buses, for driving with community transport although community transport volunteers do not necessarily need to have a licence, volunteers also provide support to the driver, particularly on bus runs.
Disability Services - Disability services operate a number of social groups to support younger people who have a disability. Different groups have different aims. Volunteers are utilised to support the paid staff with running the groups.
Day Programs - Day programs are a cluster of different groups of clients who regularly get together to meet their social needs. Day programs are based in the HACC centre or out in the community on outings. Volunteers in these programs assist with transporting clients to and from the centre; help with the setting up of the room for the group; assist with facilitating activities; assist with serving meals and provide support to group members. We have number of different day programs including a Men’s, Memory Loss, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse group and a Bungendore group.
Apply to become a volunteer
Please note that you do not need to decide at the time of the application with which program you would like to volunteer. Should your application be successful, you will be given the opportunity to sample as many programs as you would like during orientation. Volunteering is not a load to carry, it has many pleasures and helps us to appreciate our own lives.