Norwood’s Volunteer Program provides opportunities for volunteers to offer their time and service to the community, while also gaining experience working with the mental health field of a community organisation.

The Volunteer Program promotes community awareness of mental illness and mental health issues, and helps to decrease stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness while promoting community involvement and participation. Meanwhile, Norwood and its clients benefit from the assistance, skills, experience and company of a volunteer. Some of the benefits may include:

• A greater sense of community involvement
• An increase in social skills and self esteem
• A smooth transition from rehabilitation to independent living

Norwood believes that the Volunteer Program has a positive impact on its clients and the organisation, and is committed to supporting and resourcing the program.

The types of volunteer involvement and time commitment in the Norwood Volunteer Program:

Individual Client Support
Volunteers can support individuals with a mental illness by offering one-to-one support socialising and interacting with the client at their home or within a community setting or event. Individual activities may include taking the clients shopping, going out for coffee, going to the football, or going for a walk. These activities encourage social interaction and community participation. A commitment from the volunteer is preferred, for example one hour per week or fortnight. It is also preferred that the volunteer will offer their support for a minimum of three months.

Group Activity Program (GAP)
Volunteers can offer support by participating in GAP activities and groups. This may include going to the movies, taking part in a cooking activity, or going on an excursion. Depending on the skills of the volunteer, the opportunity to conduct workshops is always welcomed. The time commitment can vary from two hours to half a day per week. On some occasions, an all-day activity may be planned. Norwood asks that if a volunteer is interested in taking part in a GAP activity, they remain committed to the one activity to a period of three months in order for clients and volunteers to become familiarised. After this period, the volunteer can change to another activity, or they can assist in more than one activity of program at the one time.

Prevention and Recovery Care (Burnside PARC)
The short-term 24-hour Residential and Recovery Care program is located in Deer Park and has the capacity for up to 10 residents at one time, who will each stay for up to 28 days. Volunteers can become involved in this program by engaging in group recreational activities in and out of the facility, or by conducting workshops with the residents (depending on the skills of the volunteer). It is preferred that the volunteer remains with this program for three months.

Skills Based Workshops
Volunteers who are skilled in certain activities such as gardening, cooking, sewing, computers or fitness, may be able to run specific workshops for clients. Skills based workshops are productive and educational, and clients will be able to gain many valuable skills for their everyday living. The time commitment will vary, but a workshop can be a one-off or a series of sessions.

Norwood Fundraising Events
Norwood holds fundraising events throughout the course of the year, and volunteers can choose to participate and assist in these fundraising events. Activities such as sausage sizzles, market days, movie and trivia nights would benefit from volunteers involvement in the promotion, planning and organisation, and also on the day of the event. The time commitment will vary and is negotiable.

Norwood Special Events
Norwood conducts several special events throughout the year, such as our Annual General Meeting, cultural festivals, celebratory functions, and a Christmas event for clients. Norwood benefits from the support of volunteers in the preparation of these events, the transportation of clients to and from the function, and other support on the day of the event. Other one-off events may be scheduled any time throughout the year. The time commitment will vary and is negotiable.

Preferred skills and attributes of a Norwood Volunteer:

While Norwood welcomes people from a range of backgrounds to become volunteers, some skills and attributes are required. These include:

• 18 years and over
• Available for a minimum of one hour of contact per week or fortnight
• Have an interest in mental health
• Able to make a commitment for a preferred minimum of three months
• Possess excellent communication skills
• Able to work with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• Ability to follow directions under supervision and independently
• A valid driving licence and active insurance (if the volunteers works transporting clients)

Are you interested in volunteering with Norwood?

If you have been thinking about volunteering and working with a service for adults with a mental illness and/or homelessness, why not give a few hours a week or fortnight to the Norwood Volunteer Program. As a volunteer you will:

• Give back to the community by supporting a health service, as well as directly supporting someone living with a mental illness
• Develop a greater understanding of mental illness and help reduce the stigma associated with the illness
• Receive support and assistance through orientation and ongoing training opportunities
• Meet other volunteers
• Be covered by Norwood’s personal accident, public liability and professional indemnity insurance

If you are interested, then contact Norwood on (03) 9365 9500 for a Volunteer Information Kit. If you would like to discuss volunteering with Norwood, call the Volunteer Coordinator on the same number.

Download Volunteer Application Form here