Building new friendships, increasing your self esteem and confidence as well as the knowledge you are making a difference in your community. Does this sound appealing to you?

Then becoming a volunteer is right up your alley. And your efforts are more needed than you probably think. 

Port Douglas and surrounds is one of 15 areas within the State identified as requiring the support of a designated Neighbourhood and Care Army Connect Worker.

Christine Gilewicz has been seconded from her position of Community Development Worker at Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre to fill the Connect Worker role until the end of 2022.

“At present, the Care Army database for the Douglas Shire contains only 42 registered volunteers,” she said.

“When you consider that I currently have seven volunteering opportunities on offer and some of those are seeking multiple volunteers, it is clear we need to increase these numbers substantially.”

Only a small percentage of your time

“It is very difficult to get volunteers,” Ms Gilewicz continued.

“I think people have busy lives and don’t realise that volunteering does not have to involve huge chunks of their time.

“As a volunteer, you get to nominate how much or little of your time you can spare. Registering on the Care Army database does not commit you to accepting any or all of the opportunities that come your way

“It simply gives you the option to consider if an opportunity might be suitable for you.

“The current Meals On Wheels opportunity is a fine example of that with Meals on Wheels aiming to increase the number of volunteers on their roster so that each volunteer would only do one morning a month.”

Young volunteers

While Ms Gilewicz welcomes volunteers of all ages and abilities, she would especially like to see an increase in the number of younger people registering to help in their local community and experience the many benefits of becoming a volunteer.

“These benefits include increased self-esteem and happiness, a sense of belonging and contribution and additional skill sets to add to your resume,” she said.

“Perhaps young people have thought of volunteering as being the domain of seniors, but young people have much to offer to their communities and it would be wonderful to see an increase in the number of younger volunteers.

“Volunteering looks fantastic on the resume of a young person and makes a great impression on employers with some companies even encouraging their staff to donate some time with paid leave for the purpose.”

Numerous benefits

“Volunteering has numerous benefits to the volunteer. As mentioned above, it is a brilliant addition to a resume but also exposes people to new social and cultural experiences, new friendships, increased self esteem and confidence as well as the knowledge you are making a difference in your community.”

Ms Gilewicz has done a lot of volunteer work herself over the course of her life and said it gives you an increased empathy and respect for others who volunteer.

“I think volunteering not only consolidated my desire to work in the community sector, it also enhanced my employment prospects.

An opportunity for everyone

According to Ms Gilewicz volunteer opportunities with the Care Army come in all shapes and sizes.

“Opportunities range from being on a call register to assist after a weather event such as the recent flood crisis down south, picking up a prescription or groceries for someone in isolation, or committing to a regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly activity with a local volunteer involving organisation.” Current opportunities with the Care Army include:

• half day reception (Monday afternoons)
• 1-2 hours per week light gardening
• Tax Help Assistant (to help low income earners to lodge their tax return online at tax return time)
• Mentor for weekly technology group (helping people to use their smartphones, tablets or laptops)
• Op Shop sorter and sales assistant at NicNak Shed
• Youth Centre assistants – several volunteers required to fill vacancies across four afternoons per week in Mossman.

To offer a volunteer opportunity or to register as a volunteer please visit: Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre - Volunteering Queensland (volunteeringqld.org.au)