Volunteering

Welcome to the YOURLifeChoices Volunteering page. We aim to outline as many Volunteering options as possible to give you a wide range of selection. If you want to Volunteer for your Community, to Mentor Students, or even to travel overseas and Volunteer as a Conservation Volunteer, we give you all of those options right here!

The greatest gift in life, is to give to someone else, and Volunteering is a great way to do it, so get out there if you can and donate some of your time to make this world of ours a better place!

Volunteering online

If you have access to a computer, you can share your skills, knowledge and ideas to make a difference worldwide.

An initiative of the United Nations Development Programme, onlinevolunteering.org is designed to help growing organisations around the world receive develop their business, thanks to the time and effort of volunteers.

Volunteers can help by selecting a task that matches their skills and interests.  You will then be asked to complete some details and submit these for review. Your specific skills will be matched with organisations that need your help and you will be contacted by these organisations in due course. Skills required include:

* Translation
* Research
* Writing and editing
* Project development and management
* Design
* IT development
* Consulting
* Coordination and facilitation
* Training and coaching

Find out more information at onlinevolunteering.org.

Go volunteer

Giving up your time to volunteer at a local organisation in need of assistance may be a selfless act but don’t underestimate the benefits of getting involved.

Australians are generous with their time - 34 per cent of the adult population contribute more than 700 million hours each year volunteering.  As well as having obvious benefits to communities, organisations and the environment, volunteering can also give those who are no longer able to, or wish to work, a sense of purpose and the opportunity to put valuable skills to good use.

Volunteering can take on many forms. You may already have an organisation or charity that is close to your heart with which you would like to be involved. Perhaps you want to take on a new challenge, learn new skills or simply meet new people.  You can volunteer locally, nationally or even overseas if you’re feeling adventurous.

Once you have worked out what kind of organisation with which you would like to be involved, consider how much time you have to give and how often you can help.  There are many organisations which can assist with finding you a placement but GoVolunteer.com.au, an initiative of the Volunteering Australia is a good place to start.  For more information, visit GoVolunteer.com.au.

The Australian Government also has a job search facility for those wishing to volunteer. For more information, visit
jobsearch.gov.au.

Find more volunteering options.

Lend an ear

For those who have no-one and need someone to reach out to, The Salvo Care Line offers just that, with fully trained staff that can help with most problems or make sure the caller is directed to someone who can help. The Care Line is manned by volunteers and full training is given.  Telephone counselling courses are held in each state and while there may be a cost involved, there is a possibility of Government funding for your place. All volunteers must be over 21 and have a Christian commitment, though they do not need to be a member of the Salvation Army.

Courses vary in duration from 60 hours to 130 hours and a vocational certificate is awarded at the end of training.  If you have compassionate nature, are a good listener and think that you can help those in need, visit the Salvos.