From providing hot meals to the homeless to helping asylum seekers adapt to life in their new country, Uniting Vic.Tas volunteers provide 1.2 million hours of service to local communities every year.
As part of National Volunteer Week 2021 (May 17-23), Uniting Vic.Tas is acknowledging the tireless work of its more than 2400 volunteers who play an integral role in delivering essential community services across Victoria and Tasmania.
Uniting Vic.Tas CEO Bronwyn Pike said the organisation’s volunteers support a broad range of programs from aged and home-based care, emergency relief, early learning, youth mentoring, disability support and op-shops.
“Last year, our volunteers answered more than 65,000 calls to our Lifeline 24/7 phone support service giving people comfort in their darkest moments and helped pack 35,000 food parcels and serve 61,500 meals to people in need.”
“This year’s National Volunteer Week theme is Recognise, Reconnect and Reimagine, which is about recognising the contribution of volunteers, reconnecting to what’s important by helping others and reimagining how we can better support volunteers.
“Above all, this week is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the work of volunteers and to say thank you.
“More than 42 per cent of our workforce are volunteers and they generously give up time with their families and loved ones, putting in long hours, day in, day out, to make a difference in people’s lives.
“Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do in this community and we’re always looking for more, so if you can help, please get in touch with us.”
Some quick facts:
- More than 2100 volunteers and volunteer carers help deliver more than 100 community support services
- In 2020, answered 65,000 calls to Lifeline, the crisis support and suicide prevention phone line
- Cooked more than 61,500 meals and prepared more than 35,000 food packages for people in crisis
- 361 foster carers provide a safe and secure home for thousands of at-risk children
- 430 volunteers help to run 24 op-shops around Victoria and Tasmania
- 479 volunteers support around 2500 older people to maintain their independence
- Speak 70 languages and assist with the settlement support of asylum seekers
- 42 per cent of our workforce are volunteers.
Find out more information about becoming a Uniting Volunteer.
