Volunteering opportunities

We are seeking volunteers to help make a difference in our community as Chatty Café champions.

As a Chatty Café volunteer, you will help strengthen social connections within the community at a local venue where everyone is welcome to come and have a chat.

A Chatty Café champion is:

• a conversation starter
• an active listener
• inclusive and empathetic
• a communicator who interacts well with other people.

Volunteers receive training, a handbook and a name tag. As part of the application process, you will be asked to sign a volunteer agreement and undergo a Working with Children Check (WWCC).

Where possible, volunteers are allocated to Chatty venues within proximity of their homes to minimise travel time and costs.

CCA registered volunteers are the responsibility of CCA and are covered by CCA insurance.

A commitment of one to two hours each week is required.

Email your expression of interest to volunteer@stonnington.vic.gov.au

Armadale Baptist Church Community Arts Hub is looking for volunteers.

Events manager

This person would be responsible for opening and setting up the venue, attending to the needs of groups using the venue, and ensuring everything is packed up, clean, and locked up. Events include concerts, weddings, functions, and conferences.

Sound and visual technician

This person would be responsible for setting up equipment and operating the sound and visual system for events such as weddings, concerts, and conferences.

For further information or to apply, contact Jude at jude.waldron@armadalebaptist.org or on 03 9822 7881.

Initiatives of Change Australia has an Annual fundraising Art Exhibition and Auction. The next one will be held in March 2023.

We require volunteer support to help coordinate this event. If this is of interest to you, please contact Jen at jen.jordan@iofc.org

The Kinross Arts Centre is looking for Volunteer Gallery Assistants.

Tasks include:

• greeting visitors and orientating them to our Art Centre
• assisting visitors to the gallery with information about the artists and artworks (provided by gallery)
• assistance with enquiries from members of the public, studio tenants, artists and visitors to the cafe
• some assistance with administration if possible.

Centre is located on no. 58 tram line, limited on-site parking. The Centre operates from 10 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday. Occasional weekend openings and once a month early evening event opening, if a volunteer is available.

If you're interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact Mary at Director@KinrossArts.org.au

Rotary Chadstone and East Malvern are seeking volunteers for the Phoenix and Ashburton Markets, Bunnings Sausage Sizzles and other club programs.

For more information please contact Paul Rake at paul.rake@bigpond.com or 0409 937 080.

The Stonnington Chinese Association is looking for a volunteer with accounting skills to look over their end-of-year financial statement. For information please contact Lai Leng Chee on 0406 614 745 or llchee@optusnet.com.au

Prahran Community Learning Centre is a busy Neighbourhood Centre running classes, events, child care and providing support to residents living in and around Stonnington.

We are looking for someone who has excellent administration skills (including Microsoft Office) and is active enough to help around our Centre, which is located centrally in Grattan Gardens. This is a varied job where you will assist in answering phones, online administration, and helping set up classrooms. You will help make a difference in the community by reflecting the inclusive, welcoming values of our organisation.

For more information, please contact Shima Ibuki at peo@pclcentre.org.au or 0414 300 967.

Avalon Centre are looking for a driver to help with the distribution of clothing and bedding to the homeless and disadvantaged. The role requires more than just driving a Toyota Hiace, it also involves interaction with the people you will meet on the road.

For further information or to apply, contact Deborah Holmes at info@avaloncentre.org.au

FoodFilled is seeking volunteers to help deliver food to people in need.

Volunteering for FoodFilled involves collecting leftover food from retailers and delivering it to local charities, saving valuable resources from ending up in landfill and providing immediate relief for those experiencing food insecurity. Making a difference can be easy and enjoyable, with pick-ups taking less than an hour and can be done with family and friends.

You must have access to a vehicle, a valid driver’s licence (L- platers welcome) and be fully vaccinated.

At FoodFilled, we value our volunteers. To show our appreciation, we provide gift boxes, rewards for volunteer of the month as well as a free drink from the FoodFilled cafe in the week of the pickup. We also host regular social events for our volunteers to create a dynamic and strong community.

For further information or to apply, contact Belinda at Belle@foodfilled.org or on 03 8595 2672.

The Melbourne City Mission (MCM) L2P Program is a community-based program that supports young people who face significant barriers to completing 120 hours of on-road driving experience. The program is supported by trained volunteer mentors.

In Stonnington, volunteers meet the young learner drivers at Prahran police station and drive a vehicle owned and operated by MCM.

For more information contact L2P@mcm.org.au or visit the MCM website.

Our aim is to provide 24-hour emergency food service in Stonnington to those in need of help and to actively encourage school students, community groups, and residents to be involved in the donation, collection and distribution of the food parcels. Food parcels are freely available to anyone in need. Each parcel contains a two to three-day supply of nutritionally balanced non-perishable food.

We are looking for two types of volunteers:

• A volunteer with admin or business experience to assist the president, treasurer, and secretary. Time commitment is half a day a month, including a one-hour meeting.
• A volunteer to assist in preparing non-perishable food parcels for people in need of support. Volunteers are only required in the daytime and preferably have access to a car.

For further information please contact Joan on 0407 552 471 or at joanross43@gmail.com

Armadale Baptist Church is looking for volunteers to assist with one day's worth of archiving.

There is a rich and interesting history at the Armadale Baptist Church. Historical documents and books need to be organised, stored, and placed on display.

For further information or to apply, contact Jude at jude.waldron@armadalebaptist.org or on 03 9822 7881.

Cabrini Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit private health service located in Melbourne’s south east. Volunteers are involved in a range of activities throughout Cabrini Health.

• Providing company and social interaction for patients/residents at our Ashwood, Brighton, Elsternwick, Malvern and Prahran sites.
• Providing support and practical assistance for patients and families visiting our emergency department, day procedure centre, day infusion centre, outpatient rehabilitation and day of surgery admission centre.
• Meeting and greeting patients and visitors and helping to guide them to their destination at our Brighton and Malvern sites.
• Providing company and assistance with lifestyle activities for our aged-care residents.
• Assisting clients at our Cabrini Wig Room.
• Assisting palliative care patients to record their life stories as a legacy for family or friends.
• Providing telephone social support with a weekly phone call to our discharged older patients who live on their own.

For more information on volunteering at Cabrini Health, call 03 9508 1084 or email volunteers@cabrini.com.au

Inclusion Melbourne supports adults who have disabilities to live a fulfilling life within the community. Our Registered Training Organisation, Inclusion Training, is focused on delivering education options to support the inclusion of people with disability in the community.

Inclusion Melbourne is seeking patient, friendly, enthusiastic people to assist adults with disabilities to further their education and transition to community life.

Tutors will work closely with students in the learning environment of the classroom and within the local community, under the supervision and guidance of the class teacher and student support officer to help them discover and pursue their passion and goals. Good communication and English skills are required, with basic computer knowledge a bonus.

Genuine applicants only who are able to support learners with their literacy and numeracy studies and are comfortable using a computer. A minimum commitment of 12 months is required for this and any voluntary roles at Inclusion Melbourne!

Volunteers needed

Classroom Tutor
Thursday or Friday
9:30 am to 3:00 pm

Other requirements

• All prospective volunteers are required to complete an online volunteer information session
• Obtain a clear NDIS Worker Screening Check
• Provide contact details for 2 professional referees
• Attendance at an interview with coordinator
• All applicants must be over 18 years of age

Interested?
Apply now, and be part of our vibrant volunteer team making a difference in people's lives! Please email volunteer@inclusion.melbourne

JoCare provides opportunities for you to share an hour or so of your time with others.

Volunteer visitor

Residents in the Stonnington area and surrounds are welcome to become JoCare volunteer visitors. By befriending an older person, who has become disconnected and lacking companionship, volunteers will make a positive difference in someone’s day as well as their own day. Volunteers help to recreate the neighbourliness of the past.

We engage with socially isolated individuals either living independently or in residential aged care facilities. Older people seeking companionship come from a variety of social and cultural backgrounds, as do our volunteers.

A volunteer visitor has the opportunity to connect with others by going for a walk locally, sharing a cuppa and a yarn, watching a movie, playing cards, or doing a jigsaw. Any time you are unable to visit, we revert to letter writing, emails, phone calls and video calls.

As JoCare is an auspice of the Federal Government's Community Visitors Scheme, we uphold the standards and expectations of this program.

Digital volunteer program

Volunteers are required to assist with our Tuesday Drop-in sessions, Wednesday Tablet program and various class sessions.

A solid knowledge of basic uses of Smart Phones, Tablets, iPhones and iPads is required.

This program is a great fun way to connect with the older people in your community and can be satisfying knowing you've helped people say in touch with their families.

You need to be available either Tuesday or Wednesday mornings, as frequently or infrequently as it suits you.

To apply or for more information, contact JoCare on 0403 572 440 or at jocare@stjosephsmalvern.org.au

Volunteering with Lifeline Melbourne

Are you passionate about mental health?

Can you provide a non-judgmental, respectful and safe space for individuals in crisis to talk?

Are you looking for a volunteer role that is meaningful?

Come and join Lifeline Melbourne and provide a human connection to help people get through their darkest moments.

Contact us to discuss our Crisis Support Worker Training program today! Email lifelinetraining@vt.uniting.org or visit the Melbourne Lifeline Website or Uniting Volunteer Website.

Malvern Special Needs Playgroup provides a nurturing social developmental program for preschool children with disabilities and developmental delays. The sessions are scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday between 10 am and 2 pm during school terms.

We require volunteers who would like to assist the children to participate on either of those days on a one-on-one basis under the guidance of our allied health staff members and a kindergarten teacher.

These volunteer positions would particularly suit anyone with a healthcare or teaching background or anyone wishing to pursue a career in disability or allied healthcare, nursing or teaching.

The setting is very social and volunteers love working together in this very happy environment with the satisfaction of seeing the beautiful smiles on little faces as they delight in participation.

For more information or to apply, contact mbiggs@msnp.org.au or 0416 265 237.

MS Community Visitors Scheme connects volunteer visitors with elderly people who are experiencing social isolation and loneliness to enjoy companionship.

Volunteer visitors share stories, go for a stroll or have a cuppa, listen to music or play a board game. Volunteers play a vital role in the life of a person living in an aged care home or their own home through ongoing friendship.

We are currently seeking an Italian-speaking volunteer to visit a delightful lady living in an Aged Care Home in East Malvern. This lady would greatly benefit from a 1 to 1 connection and to be able to converse in Italian.

Requirements to become a Community Visitor include:

• attending an interview
• a National Police Check (conducted by MSL)
• provision of two referees
• completion of training modules to being an MS CVS volunteer
• commitment to fortnightly connections/visits for a minimum of 12 months
• taking up other means of connection (mail, phone) when visiting is not possible.

If you are looking for a role that makes a difference to another person and gives flexibility, find out more by calling 03 8399 9618 or email volunteer@ms.org.au

MS believes in a person-to-person approach and aspires to match you with someone local with shared interests and hobbies. We look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks to an Innovation Grant from Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation and additional funding from the Australian Council on Social Innovation, we will be vetting, preparing and supporting people to serve as 'community-based companions' in our latest kindness-informed/citizen-led health initiative.

Placement opportunities to serve people impacted by loneliness (particularly existential loneliness), social isolation, complex health issues (including terminal illness), and bereavement will be provided by our referral partners from healthcare, aged care and charitable funeral services.

Companions will be asked to:

• go through an application/interview process
• provide two referees
• pass a Police Check
• attend an induction day
• participate in regularly scheduled online reflective practice sessions;
• make time to visit one or more community members in one-on-one sessions or as part of a 3 to 5-person team.

If you’d like to bring meaning to people’s live through acts of human kindness and be part of our emerging, diverse community, please emailgetintouch@socialhealthaustralia.org or call us on 03 9005 7459.

The best way to help regenerate the indigenous landscape of Gardiners Creek is to volunteer at one of our regular working bees! These run for two hours, and you don't need to be a member to participate.

Working bees and planting opportunities run throughout the year along Gardiners Creek in Glen Iris for individuals and groups.

For information about events, please contact Trevor at 0475 594 106, gardinerscreek@gmail.com or visit the Gardiners Creek website.

Keep Victoria Beautiful (KVB) Stationeers program enables community groups and individual volunteers to undertake beautification works around railway station precincts across Victoria. The program has been running for more than 25 years.

Stationeers groups achieve beautification by establishing and maintaining garden beds, as well as keeping the area tidy and clean through the removal of litter. Groups report that littering is reduced when the area is cared for and enhances the commuter's journey by offering a welcoming landscape.

There are many benefits from the program to the local community, commuters, tourists to the area and volunteers. Some of these benefits include:

• improving the appearance of the station surroundings
• volunteers engaged in physical activity in their local community
• meeting new people with similar interests
• reduction in littering and dumping of rubbish
• creating a biodiverse planting landscape
• social aspect of volunteering, meeting on a regular basis.

We have groups in both metropolitan locations and regional stations. They vary in size from a couple of volunteers to large groups. Many of the groups have a keen interest in gardening. Some are formal gardening groups or service organisations, and other groups have individual volunteers who come together to improve their community.

For more information please contact volunteers@kvb.org.au or visit Keep Victoria Beautiful.

Take part in Koala tree planting and habitat restoration at various sites across the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.

Planting days occur from late May until September 2023 (website updates regularly with new dates). These are free, family-friendly and all-inclusive events.

Please register via MP Koalas website.

Save-A-Dog Scheme (SADS) is a community-based not-for-profit animal welfare organisation that saves hundreds of dogs and cats from being killed every year.

There are many ways to contribute! We're passionate about our no-kill policy, so we're happy to put in the effort and hard work required to care for the animals 365 days a year. If you think you have what it takes to join us, we'd love to hear from you!

They are seeking the following volunteers:

• Animal (cats or dogs) attendant to perform general shelter duties and provide assistance with social media and PR
• driver to transport or collect animals.
• Office work that is not overly difficult but must be done with attention to detail and commitment. This volunteer role would be ideally suited to someone who has had experience in an office job and an interest in animals.
• House volunteers.

The Save-A-Dog Scheme urgently needs willing hands for the ever-present but oh-so-necessary housekeeping chores without which our shelters could not operate.

The duties of house volunteers would include:

• chopping up dog food
• seeing to the laundering of dog and cat bedding
• various other shelter chores.

This volunteering role is very specific but also very important and is ideal for those of you who are committed to our important work of saving companion animals but who cannot, or prefer not to, take on the heavy physical roles of kennel work and care of the large strong dogs.

SADS is unable to take volunteers under the age of 18.

To discuss volunteering, please contact Pam at admin@saveadog.org.au or on 03 9824 7928.

Prahran Early Learning Centre is looking for a proactive office and programs volunteer who can help in the office.

Tasks include:

• answering the phone
• helping clients with food relief requests
• providing and organising referrals
• helping to set up and pack down rooms for activities and courses
• assisting front desk with admin.

You will have sound computer skills and be able to assist with moving tables and chairs to set up classes.

This is a role with lots of variety and the opportunity to give back to your community and/or build your office skills leading to employment.

Further information or to apply, contact Shima at peo@pclcentre.org.au or on 03 9510 7052.

Loans and returns desk volunteer

Stonnington Toy Library is seeking a friendly person to volunteer regular hours at our not-for-profit community organisation in a customer service role. Volunteers will work with staff to keep the Toy Library running smoothly.

Volunteer duties include:

• greeting families
• toy returns
• counting toy pieces
• putting toys away on the shelves
• minor toy cleaning.

When time allows, the volunteer will be packaging toys or making toy labels.

We love volunteers to show initiative in our busy environment, and of course, they must like children! We ask all volunteers to apply for a Working with Children Check.

A regular time commitment of two hours per week or fortnight is preferred but not essential. Our location at 1 Winter Street Malvern is easy to get to via tram or train. Local volunteers are preferred.

Staff will train volunteers on our processes and procedures and in the use of the simple computer program.

For more information, please contact Jane at stonntoylib@gmail.com or on 03 9500 1673.

TeamSports4All (TS4A) helps socio-economically disadvantaged kids participate in club sports in their community. Kids from the poorest and most marginalised parts of our society. TS4A currently assists over 100 children to play sports who otherwise would not be able to.

The benefits we have seen over the years are plentiful:

• Kids learn positive social behaviours, including teamwork, respect for coaches and officials, self-discipline, and the rewards of hard work.
• The obvious health benefits of a more active lifestyle.
• When kids put the uniform on, they feel and look like 'all' the other kids with no judgement or question about their situation.
• Perhaps most of all (and we really notice this as we work with these kids and their families), playing club sports connects the whole family with their community and decreases their social isolation;
• Kids avoid the embarrassment, particularly in the schoolyard, of being disadvantaged and not being able to afford to play sports.

Become a Sports Mentor Volunteer with TeamSports4All. This involves one visit with a disadvantaged family, then monthly check-in calls to see how everything is going with the child in their sport. Some volunteers allocate a small number of hours each month and others become more involved depending on their area of interest and availability.

For more information, please contact stonnington@teamsports4all.com.au, call 0409 314 922 or visit TeamSport4All.

Girl Guides are looking for adult women of any age, experience, or background to join us for a bunch of FUN! Girl Guides volunteers organise and run activities for groups of girls of various ages, and provide a safe, supportive, and fun environment for girls to develop their teamwork and leadership skills.

Depending on volunteer's availability and interest, the time required varies from attending fortnightly (2 hour per fortnight) to helping out every week and doing some of the behind the scenes planning and organising (perhaps 4 to 8 hours a week).

Training and mentoring is provided, and you will be part of a supportive, fun, and welcoming team. Girl Guides is a fabulous way to make new friends, looks great on your resume, and as part of a global organisation, connects you with your local community and a world wide network!

To find out more about this volunteering opportunity, please contact Jennifer Whincup on 0467 869 042 or email

Our vision is to provide hope, stability and support for the most vulnerable members in our community through a range of programs, as well as ongoing tailored support for the residents from Avalon volunteers and partners.

The volunteers are the foundation of the Avalon Centre. Their dedication, commitment and support ensure that the mission of meeting unmet needs is fulfilled.

There are three volunteering roles currently available:

• Homeless House Supporter - we have 8 homes, consisting of a 3 bedroomed house and 7 flats in Dandenong. There are a variety of people in our homes including single mothers with 2-3 children, a young couple, a single man. Each house has a supporter whose role is to ascertain what is needed by the tenants and how they can access this through the wide Avalon Network. This may include help with budgeting, cooking, job searching, shopping and much more. The role of our Home support worker will involve developing a trusting relationship with the tenants involved and offering support where needed.
• Property Manager for Avalon Homes For The Homeless. This is an opportunity for an experienced Property Manager to support our programme. The role involves the standard requirements, including inspections, processing rentals, organising maintenance and repairs etc. This role is unique, as you will be supporting vulnerable members of our community in their new homes.

• Driver for our weekly day trips. This involves interacting and supporting people with mild intellectual disabilities and some with mental health problems (there will be other volunteers on the trip). It is a relaxed, fun day that everyone enjoys and that offers an opportunity for people to get out and about. This role requires someone with a sense of humour, as well as good driving and communication skills.

For more details on Avalon. visit the Avalon Centre website, or get in contact by phoning 03 9569 2240 or email info@avaloncentre.org.au

Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network (RIMERN) was initiated by Rotary Prahran and is now a multi-club community and environmental service project of 14 Melbourne Rotary Club.

RIMERN collects furniture, appliances, and homewares to give to clients of member welfare agencies. People who receive donations include those being assisted into secure housing following homelessness, domestic violence, refugee displacement, incarceration and other situations of hardship.

We are completely made up of volunteers, both Rotarians and community members, who help in a range of ways at our East Brunswick warehouse and remotely.

At the warehouse, we sort and repack kitchenware and linen, clean and test appliances, assist clients in selecting their goods, and compile their orders for dispatch. Remotely, we liaise with donors of goods, arrange collection and ensure adequate stocks of high-quality, contemporary homewares for re-homing.

We need volunteers to support the collection of donated furniture, appliances and homewares. Volunteers will be sorting, cleaning, testing, tagging and making the donations available to those in need.

Volunteers are also needed to spot donations on social media and to research and apply for grants that will enable us to buy a vehicle and equipment and operate our warehouse. Other volunteers will be the face of RIMERN for welfare agencies and their clients.

For more information, contact us at volunteers@rimern.org.au or on 1300 924 123.

The vision of SJOS is to provide temporary, emergency and transitioning accommodation and food services to those in need, including the homeless and disadvantaged.

We are always looking for new volunteers aged 18 and over to help support the services we provide to the community. Volunteers are currently needed for service in the SJOS Food Store and for bread pick-up for the SJOS Bread Bank.

For further information please contact 03 9866 7888 or visit the St Joseph's Outreach Service website.

Stonnington Community Assist provides support, information and advice to all.

Stonnington Community Assist is looking for volunteers to assist clients with food relief, advocacy, information and referrals to other welfare organisations. They will have a conversation with those who visit to determine how we may best assist, whether it be form filling, food voucher, tax help, free legal advice or a no-interest loan.

For more information, visit Stonnington Community Assist.

You can also contact 03 9804 7220 or email support@stonnassist.org.au

De La Salle Amateur Football Club, located at Waverley Oval in Malvern East, is looking for volunteers to fulfil a range of duties at the Club in Canteen, Team Manager, Property, Maintenance, Game Day Assistants, Scorers, and Umpires.

We are also an authorised Services Victoria Voluntary Work Organisation allowing eligible over 55s to fulfil their mutual obligations at the Club.

For further information or to apply, contact Dale on generalmanager@delasalleocfc.com.au or 0433 126 439.

Connect with your local community and join a fun, friendly and supportive team of volunteers at our mecwacare Opportunity Shop, Wattletree Road (near Glenferrie Road), Malvern.

This volunteer opportunity involves:

• sorting and categorizing donations
• pricing
• hanging and displaying stock
• assisting our fabulous customers
• processing sales
• general housekeeping duties.

Mecwacare is proudly a not-for-profit, non-denominational charitable organisation that has been supporting the elderly and people with a disability in the Victorian community since 1959.

If you would like to support your local community, visit their website to apply online.

For questions please contact our Volunteer Coordinator on 03 8573 4962.

Sacred Heart Mission Inc have two vacancies at their Chapel Street Op Shop and Commercial Road Op Shop.

If you've got some spare time, helping out in the store is a great way to get involved with the Mission and in the Prahran community. You will have good fun getting retail experience by rubbing shoulders with the friendliest op shop team in the area.

Sacred Heart Mission Inc is currently looking for a fun-loving retail enthusiast that wants to join their wonderful team in Prahran on Commercial Road or at the Chapel St Op Shop. There is lots of laughing, lots of craziness, and many bargains to be discovered. You can help to make the store the star of the street! Come be part of the team and make a difference.

Every $4 earned by the stores goes directly to the meals program and provides hot food for those in need.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the hanging of clothes and tidying racks and displays.
• Stock placement.
• Counter sales or work the till.
• Prepare stock for sale.
• Visual merchandising.
• Help provide a welcoming atmosphere.
• Make the store look presentable.
• Provide fantastic customer service.
• Be part of a wonderful op shop team and, most importantly, have fun!

To work with Sacred Heart Mission Inc, you need to submit an online application via their website and select the Chapel Street or Commercial Road Op Shop as your preference. As part of the application process, you be will asked to sign a confidentiality agreement and a Code of Conduct, and you must be willing to undergo a police check.

For more information, contact volunteer@sacredheartmission.org or visit the Sacred Heart Mission website.

Toorak Op Shop is seeking a Retail Assistant to help with sorting and selling donated clothing and other items. All money raised is donated to local charities.

To find out more about this volunteering opportunity, please contact Phillip Thomas on 0404 335 477 or email

Are you passionate about mental health? Can you provide a non-judgmental, respectful and safe space for individuals in crisis to talk? Are you looking for a volunteer role that is meaningful? Come and join Lifeline Melbourne and provide a human connection to help people get through their darkest moments.

Get in touch to discuss the Crisis Support Worker Training program. Email at lifelinetraining@vt.unmiting.org or visit the websites at Lifeline Melbourne or at Uniting (Victoria & Tasmania) and search for 'Lifeline Volunteering'.