“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love," Mother Theresa (1910-1997).
National Volunteer Week (NVW) kicks off today and is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteers held from 17 May through to Sunday 23 May.
It has never been a more appropriate time to acknowledge and thank our volunteers across Australia for the vital role they play in our lives. We particularly thank Catholic Healthcare’s over 1,100 volunteers who make such a difference in the lives of our clients, residents and patients.
This year’s National Volunteer Week theme is Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine.
- Recognise - celebrating and thanking volunteers for the vital role they play in our lives. Volunteers make our communities stronger, especially during times of need, crisis or isolation.
- Reconnect - to what is important by giving our time to help others and ourselves. In a year when many of us have experienced increased loneliness or isolation, mental health or financial stress, volunteering can help. Evidence shows that volunteering connects us to others in our local communities, to better mental well-being or to potential pathways to employment.
- Reimagine - how we can better support volunteers and communities they help. We need to collaborate more and adapt our volunteering practices and programs so we can better support and engage volunteers to continue the necessary work that they do.
At Catholic Healthcare, the Community Visitors Scheme supports volunteer visits to senior Australians living at home and within our aged care homes. These volunteers dedicate their time each year to volunteering, paying regular visits to keep seniors company, take them out for a coffee or a walk in the local park, help with technology or provide regular phone calls to those who are lonely or isolated.
Sue Norman runs the volunteer program at Catholic Healthcare and is always astounded at how it brings people from all walks of life together.
“We have everyone from school children to retirees wanting to give back to the community,” says Sue. “Every year, our volunteers contribute nearly 30,000 hours - providing a priceless contribution to someone else’s life. Choosing to donate your time to others is such a rewarding experience that not only enriches lives, but also brings great satisfaction.
“Our volunteers always remark about how satisfying it is to volunteer and to donate their time to make someone else’s day more meaningful. Visits from volunteers can greatly enhance and improve quality of life and help seniors feel less isolated. Our volunteering program helps to bridge cultural, age and other boundaries, and brings a sense of wellbeing to both the volunteer and the client alike.
“While an hour of your time may not seem like much, it can make such a difference,” says Sue.
Watch our short video to meet some of our community volunteers who are making an impact.