Queensland leads volunteer surge
Why should you hold back when you’ve got something to give? - Fiona SaxbyVolunteering adds more than $13 billion to the Queensland economy every year and provides vital help and assistance that would otherwise be unavailable to people who are struggling.
The good news is that volunteer participation is strong and growing stronger. This year four out of every 10 people say they will be offering their time free of charge to a volunteer organisation.
We often hear that generation X and Y are busy playing on computers and are self centred but the fact is this couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to volunteering.
It is this same age group leading a resurgence in volunteering. Their reasons for donating their time and effort are as diverse as the volunteers themselves.
Today there are many ways the new generation of volunteers give their time from virtual online volunteering to one-off events and short-term projects. However, this preference for short-term projects creates a decline in the amount of time people spend volunteering, even though volunteer numbers continue to rise.
Tim Felhaber has gained a lot of satisfaction from volunteering, even though it took a personal tragedy for him to get involved. In 2002 Tim broke his neck when swinging from a tree and now has quadriplegia. As a volunteer presenter with the Spinal Injuries Association, Tim volunteers his time to share his story with Brisbane schoolchildren, encouraging and inspiring safe and responsible behaviour, as well as providing important messages about keeping safe on roads, in the water, on the sports field, in the great outdoors, and even in the classroom. Tim says if he can save just one person from sustaining a spinal cord injury then it’s worth every moment.
"I also think it's important for young people to get some insight into what life is like for someone with a spinal cord injury," Tim says. "It's good to raise awareness about people with a disability and it makes young people more understanding and accepting.
"On a personal level I've learnt to step up a little bit when it comes to speaking in public. Volunteering also helps me sometimes when I'm feeling a bit down. It's good to get around and talk to people."
Tim's contribution was recognised this year with a Queensland Young Volunteer Award.
Fellow award recipient Fiona Saxby from Townsville also connects with young people through volunteering, but in a very different way. Through a youth mentoring program called Youth Street, Fiona reaches out to 12-17 year olds in her community by helping to create a safe environment for kids to be themselves. Youth Street provides activities for young people like skating, music, media and art every Saturday from 2-5:30pm. On Saturday nights Youth Street Live puts on rock bands, games, sport and a cafe from 5.30pm to 10pm.
Fiona says Youth Street gives the volunteers a chance for some intense mentoring and one-on-one down time. "A lot of young people are trying to fit in. I believe we need to take the time to listen to them and find out who they are and give them hope," Fiona says.
"This work has definitely changed me. I care more about people now - not material things. In this lifetime you only have one shot at making a difference. Why should you hold back when you've got something to give?"
"Later this year we're taking 13 kids to Thailand. We'll be visiting some hill tribes, doing work in orphanages, schools, and slums. This is an incredible opportunity I'm not going to miss out on."
At 78, Fay Jorgensen might not be up to visiting the hill tribes but her energy for volunteering hasn't waned, ever since she helped raise funds to build a community hall in Toowoomba when she was 17. Fay continues to be an active volunteer in her community through the Senior Citizens Club, the Day Respite Centre and the Philharmonic Society.
"My mother was always involved in community work so it was natural for me to follow in Mum's footsteps," Fay says.
"Volunteering gives you a lot of pleasure when you see what an effect you can have on people's lives. Through my volunteering I've done things I didn't think I could do, so I've learnt a lot. I've also made great friends that I've known now for over 40 years."
Whether you're visiting Thai hill tribes, helping out with the local school fete, lending a hand at an animal shelter or joining the Rural Fire Service, it's all volunteering and it makes a real difference to our community.
Volunteering is for everyone - every age group, every skill base, every interest, and every culture.
For more information about volunteering opportunities visit Get Involved or Volunteering Queensland or you can contact Volunteering Queensland on (07) 3002 7600.
If you've ever thought about volunteering in Queensland but weren't sure where to start, you're best off visiting Volunteering Queensland's online service. It matches volunteers with volunteering opportunities to suit your time, skills and interests. This statewide service was developed with funding from the Department of Communities.
Young people aged between 12 and 25 years are the fastest growing group of volunteers in Australia.
Why do they do it?
to reach out and really make a difference to others to obtain new skills that can be included on a CV or demonstrate experience in a particular field to have fun and meet new people