The Benevolent Society couldn’t help people live their life, their way without the ongoing support of volunteers. As part of this year’s National Volunteer Week (19 – 25 May), we thank our volunteers for their unwavering commitment and hard work.
This year’s theme is Connecting Communities, which highlights how volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities.
Benevolent’s Greenwood Cottage is a volunteer-led initiative providing community activities for older Australians, located in Bexley, NSW. The cottage is open four days a week and holds a mix of community and in-centre activities facilitated by 12 volunteers.
To mark National Volunteer Week, Cherie Damoulakis, Benevolent’s Service Support Coordinator shares her insights on volunteering at Greenwood Cottage and the benefits it brings.
Image: A photo of Cherie smiling
Volunteering at Greenwood Cottage
What are the benefits of volunteering for older Australians?
Although retirement or participating in part-time employment is often a goal for many, the slower pace of life can be lonely. It can also be hard for people aged in their 60s and 70s to make new friends.
Volunteering is a great way to stay in touch with the community while also giving back – the best of both worlds. Volunteers bring so much life experience, and so many skills that they get to put into practice through their work.
For our volunteers at Greenwood Cottage Day Centre, a centre dedicated to keeping older members of the community connected, getting involved gives them the chance to give back to the community after years in the full-time paid workforce.
Volunteers bring a wealth of skills and life experience that is invaluable. They also bring fresh perspectives, which is incredibly valuable for improving efficiencies with support delivered to those in need.
What contributions do volunteers make to the work of Benevolent?
Volunteers are a key driving force of The Benevolent Society’s work. All our volunteers have different strengths. We like to give them roles and responsibilities based on their skills and what they enjoy doing to best support our clients and day-to-day operations.
Without the volunteers at Greenwood Cottage, the centre would not be able to operate. They are the backbone of the centre and have been for over twenty years.
Many lifelong friendships have been formed at Greenwood Cottage between volunteers, and even after volunteers have left, they still stay in touch and meet socially every couple of months.
Image: A group photo of the team at Greenwood Cottage
What attitudes and attributes are beneficial for volunteers to be successful in their roles?
We welcome all who are interested in volunteering. Being passionate about giving back and wanting to lend a helping hand are what set up volunteers for success.
We can then work with them to identify their passions, their availabilities, what skills they bring, and find the most suitable volunteer positions for them.
When you volunteer, you became a member of a community that has your best interests at heart. They are there to support you, comfort you and care for you, just the way a family does.
For more information on accessing Aged Care Services like Greenwood Cottage or other supports delivered by The Benevolent Society, visit benevolent.org.au or call 1800 236 762.