Volunteers are an integral part of Sydney MCS, and in the current pandemic our volunteers have continued to work tirelessly in novel ways. As a multicultural organisation, our volunteers are also incredibly diverse, they represent 20 different language groups and we pride ourselves on our multilingual volunteers who can connect with the client’s language and culture.
Our English Conversation Group leaders and Employment Support Programme mentor quickly adapted to using phone, email and importantly video conferencing tools (Zoom) to conduct their groups and one-on-one sessions online. These are vital services for our clients — newly arrived migrants and refugees. To avoid disruption to our services, our volunteers were integral in changing these programmes into digital ones!
Our Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) volunteers visit elderly clients face to face through home care providers or residential aged care providers to eliminate social isolation. Our volunteers spend time with them conversing in the client’s language, and doing activities, games or crafts together. In these complex times they have adopted alternative methods of their visits including phone, email, letter/postcards, and video. Although it is not a replacement for face-to-face visits it has provided continued support and socialisation, which is much needed during these complex times.
We celebrated our volunteers during National Volunteer Week, and to show appreciation to their dedication and efforts, given the current restrictions we moved our celebrations online. We created digital certificates, interviewed our talented Employment Support mentor, waved for appreciation, and threw a party for our wonderful Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) volunteers.
Over 15 (CVS) volunteers and staff members joined the Zoom party, who spoke in appreciation of our volunteers. During the party, we heard five of the volunteers’ interviews, congratulated long serving volunteers, and volunteers shared their stories and exchanged tips with each other. B., a volunteer explained ‘it was a great way for volunteers to connect with each other, and he looks forward to more digital ‘meetups’ in the future.’
Sydney MCS currently has over 65 volunteers, we are grateful for your dedication and contribution to changing communities and changing lives.
If you are interested in our programmes or volunteering please contact info@sydneymcs.org.au
For media enquiries please contact communications@sydneymcs.org.au