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National Volunteer Week is a time to recognise and thank the people who give their time, skills and care across mecwacare. This year’s theme, Your Year to Volunteer, reflects the many ways people can get involved at any stage of life.
At mecwacare, this is reflected in volunteers like Pat, 80, and Madeline, 25. While they are from different generations, they share a commitment to their community and supporting older people.
Decades of community connection
Pat first came into contact with mecwacare in the early 1980s, when she attended a Melbourne City Council visit to Malvern to learn about services for older people. After moving to Malvern in 1989, she chose mecwacare as her first place to volunteer.
She began in the op shop, expecting it might be quiet or uneventful. “I soon discovered how wrong I was,” she said. “The people I started work with all shared mecwacare’s motto of care and they had created a real community shop involving local businesses and many local residents who were regular customers.”
For Pat, it has always been about connection. “I am helping to support those who are actively caring for those who need help and support. Chatting to customers is just as important to them as their purchases,” she shared.
Over time, she has also come to value the many small ways people can contribute. “There are many ways you can help other people, even for short periods of your time,” she said.
“Reading a paper for someone who can no longer read the print, playing cards or games, sometimes just talking to those who no longer have visitors. These are just a few of the many ways you can help, and often the benefits work both ways.”
Staying for the people
Madeline began volunteering at mecwacare through a university psychology placement at the Noel Miller Centre in Glen Iris. She finished her placement but found it difficult to leave the residents she had met.
“I couldn’t bear leaving my beautiful residents, so I stayed on in a volunteer capacity,” she said.
She now volunteers regularly at the aged care home and values the relationships she has built. “I love the long chats I get to have with residents, I love the wonderful Lifestyle and Wellbeing staff, I love our coffee club mornings and I am particularly loving spending time with residents to write their life biographies,” she shared.
One moment that stayed with her was joining a centre excursion to Albert Park Lake. “There was enough room on the bus for me to come along,” she said. “We had a lovely picnic in the sunshine. It was so lovely to see the residents participate in the wider community.”
For Madeline, volunteering is about care and community. “It means I can care for other people’s loved ones the way I hope my loved ones are cared for one day,” she said.
“It means giving back to the community, but also trusting that there is a village of people around you every day ready to step in when you need some help.”
Madeline has a lighthearted piece of advice for people looking to volunteer: “Make sure you have enough time set aside because you won’t want to leave at the end of the day!”
Connection across generations
While Pat and Madeline come from different generations and volunteer in different settings, their experiences reflect a shared truth: volunteering provides connection, companionship and a sense of belonging.
Across mecwacare, volunteers like Pat and Madeline help people feel part of their community.
This National Volunteer Week, we thank them and all our volunteers for the time they give and the difference they make every day.
Photos (left to right): Pat and Madeline.
