Grow Through Volunteering By Caring For Your Community
Have you decided to be a volunteer but you are not sure how to get started? Read on to find out how to get involved.
Being a volunteer is a rewarding and fulfilling experience that can enhance your life and the well-being of the whole community. Volunteer Groups provide opportunities for people to find meaningful roles in community life, while drawing on their skills, talents and resources.
Volunteering is of benefit to the community. Through volunteering you can expect to develop relationships with the many people you help, with staff and with other volunteers. There are opportunities for personal growth and learning, as well as feeling that you are part of a ‘bigger picture’.
What is volunteering?
Formal volunteering is an activity which always takes place through a not-for-profit organisation or project and is:-
- Of benefit to the community and the volunteer;
- Undertaken of the volunteer’s own free will and without coercion;
- For no financial payment;
- In a position not designated as paid.
What does a volunteer gain by volunteering?
- Personal satisfaction;
- Rewards and enjoy the challenge;
- A feeling of helping and benefiting your community;
- Maintain skills and develop new skills;
- Meet new people and enjoy the social interaction;
- Increase self confidence.
How can you help?
Swan Hill and the district have many volunteer opportunities covering a wide range of Community Programs. You are welcome to volunteer by assisting with meal deliveries, youth programs, assistance for frail aged persons, home visitation programs, emergency services, opportunity shops, working with animals, early intervention for children and adults with disabilities, advocacy programs, retail and many more.
What is expected of you as a volunteer?
- To be reliable and dependable;
- Prepared to carry out specified tasks;
- Ethical and respect confidentiality;
- Committed to working for the organisation
- Willing to undertake training;
- Prepared to ask for support when you need it;
- Be willing to agree to a Police Check.
What can you expect as a volunteer
As a volunteer you should expect to be:-
- Adequately informed about the polices and practices of the organisation for which you are working;
- Provided with clear task and position descriptions;
- Included as part of the team and supported in your role;
- Provided with training and orientation;
- Work in a safe and healthy environment;
- Covered by insurance.
Volunteering and Centrelink
People on unemployment benefits may like to consider volunteer work. Volunteering is a great way to develop and maintain job skills and develop new skills. Centrelink and Swan Hill Rural City Council collectively have designated volunteering ‘approved activities’ in a number of their programs.
Attending an interview
Once you, or the Swan Hill Rural City Council Volunteer Support Officer on your behalf, have contacted the organisation of your choice, you will be invited to attend an interview. Organisations conduct interviews as a means of finding the right volunteer for the job. With some organisations the interview is the precursor to a lengthy selection process, in others it is the main way in which a volunteer is selected. If you are not offered an interview don’t lose heart, organisations may be unable to take on new volunteers for any number of reasons.
The interview is an opportunity to ask questions about the organisation for which you would like to volunteer. For example, you may like to ask questions about what you expect from the job such as time commitment, training and the potential to meet your personal goals.
You should also be prepared to answer questions about your previous work experience, both paid and voluntary, discuss your skills and qualifications and provide the names of referees.
In some specialised agencies potential staff and volunteers are asked to undergo a Police Check or Working With Children’s Check for a criminal record. You would be informed of this legal requirement during or prior to an interview. A Police Check or Working With Children’s Check is never performed without the consent of the individual concerned. It is also conducted in accordance with strict guidelines to ensure confidentiality.
Now you are a volunteer
Remember you are there as a valued team member. Whatever your skills and experience, they are of use to the organisation.
An organisation which values its staff will ensure that volunteers gain as much as they give.
Where to volunteer and how to find the right volunteer work for you
You can volunteer in many areas. The choice of voluntary roles is almost as broad as your imagination. You can work indoors, outdoors, one to one or with groups, day, evenings or weekends, weekly, monthly or just occasionally.
Volunteer options include:-
- Meals on Wheels
- Disability Services
- Opportunity Shops
- Tutoring and Literacy Programs
- Transport Driving Programs
- Friendly Visiting Programs
- Community Houses
- Migrant Services
- Delivering Library Books
- Clerical Support
If you don’t know where to start, you can simply contact Jenny Astall the Swan Hill Rural City Council Volunteer Support Officer on either 5036 2380 or 0428 573 057 or via email jastall@swanhill.vic.gov.au who will be able to supply you with the information you need to make a choice about the volunteer work you would like to do.
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