Volunteering matches skills with passions

Volunteering Sunshine Coast has been operating since 2004 and has found it is not merely volunteers’ skills needed by organisations.

When Paul from Volunteering Sunshine Coast meets a potential volunteer, his top questions are to find out their skills, as well as what they are passionate about in their community. Then the process commences to match the volunteer with an organisation, because it is not just about skills, it is also about matching passions and values.

Chris Scott, Executive Director, Volunteering Sunshine Coast said feedback from volunteers indicated the ability to meet face-to-face and chat was a big plus for those starting their volunteer journey. The volunteering organisations’ feedback too indicated it is the ability to get a volunteer who matches not only the skills they need, but passion for the work and the organisation’s values that matter. “We know there is a push in some volunteering areas in capital cities to get rid of face-to-face interviews and rely on algorithms from central state data bases to match people to placements. But volunteering is more than algorithms, people are more than data in a database, local is not the same as state or national. Volunteering is driven by a person’s passions and values, as well as their skills. It’s about them wanting to be involved in their community, to meet people, to help. It’s about local organisations engaging local people, to make change, to be involved. The databases are a valuable tool to serve people, but its people who make volunteering work,” said Chris Scott.

Chris explained that this year’s flood called upon volunteers to support the Sunshine Coast Council, the SES, and other emergency services to help clean up people’s homes and yards. Volunteers were helping people from Gympie down to Beerwah with rubbish removal and general cleaning up after the flood. Trained team leaders supervised people aged 25 to 65 to assist in this project.

“I saw the floods on TV but it’s nothing like going to someone’s home and seeing the destruction. It is shocking and so glad I was able to help clear the debris.

I can only imagine what these people had gone through and to help in a small way didn’t make me feel helpless” said Phillip, one of the flood relief volunteers. Chris Scott said volunteering can be small regular interactions, community events, disaster recovery or large community projects - each as valuable as the other. An example of volunteering for a large project was the winner of 2022 Sunshine Coast Volunteer of the Year, Leigh McCready, who drove the re-establishment of the Peregian Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. This was a major three-year project, with significant challenges from logistics to fundraising to navigating political issues. “I received immense joy from the support of the community and friends in re-building such an icon of the Peregian and Sunshine Coast communities. Thank you to all volunteers for their ongoing commitment to their organisations and communities for the difference they make every day,” said Leigh at the awards.

Volunteer Rhonda when asked why she volunteers said, “I am 58 and have lots of skills developed over my career, and now that I’m nearing retirement, I want to be active and helpful in my community. Volunteering is my start to transition towards retirement so I can continue to meet new people, learn from others, as well as helping where I can.”

Christopher John, CEO Bloomhill Cancer Care said at the recent Volunteer of the Year Awards that Bloomhill Cancer Care have been using Volunteering Sunshine Coast since its inception and over this time it has been their ability to match volunteers to their needs that has been so helpful.

Chris Scott, Executive Director, Volunteering Sunshine Coast

“It’s not just a matter of someone saying they can do something, it’s how they think, value the type of work we do, that is just as important,” said Christopher.

Volunteering Sunshine Coast have 3,000 active volunteers with a further 8,300 volunteers registered with them. Last financial year 2,825 volunteers were placed into roles by Volunteering Sunshine Coast, on the Sunshine Coast.

To become a volunteer simply go to our website to view the volunteering roles or call us to have a chat.

CONNECT

PHONE 07 5443 8256 WEBSITE www.volunteeringsc.org.au