Become a Volunteer
COTA Victoria has an active volunteer program with many interesting and diverse roles available to volunteers.
The volunteer program enables members to take an active part in their organisation and assist with its continued development.
Our program is designed to have a dual role. It seeks to use the talents, combined experience and skills of our membership base while providing opportunities for volunteers to engage in tasks where they can develop new or existing skills and actively contribute to their organisation.
All volunteers are provided with a comprehensive orientation program and training is provided on the specific program or area of work.
We pay out of pocket expenses and provide full insurance cover for all volunteers.
To find out more about volunteering with COTA contact Kathleen Brasher on 9655 2105 or email activemanager@cotavic.org.au
COTA’s Peer Education Team: Outstanding achievement by a volunteer team (Primary Health)
For over 10 years COTA’s Peer Educators, working individually and as a team, have supported a range of programs and projects. They have delivered over 2500 information sessions throughout Victoria to a range of audiences, including CALD communities and rural and remote areas, presented at national forums and conferences and assisted with events such as the International Federation on Ageing Conference 2010 in Melbourne.
Programs have included Challenging Ageing; Creative Transitions to Retirement; Community Champions; OMNI: Men’s Discussion Groups. Topics have included Medicines and You; beyond maturityblues; Moving More; Myths and Stereotypes of Ageing; Memory – Remembering Well; Older Men’s Health; Positive Ageing.
Our peers’ ‘lived experience’ of ageing means there is a special connection between them and the groups they speak to. Importantly, programs have not been an end in themselves, but a stepping stone for peers back to their own communities. Our team learns and contributes through monthly meetings, participation in design and development of training programs, materials and resources.
COTA and funding bodies such a NPS Better Choices, Better Health and beyondblue understand the value of peer educators and the contribution that they make. Now their contribution has been recognised by the Victorian Minister for Health!
The well-deserved award was accepted on behalf of our team by Martin Clancy, John Doutch, Maria Garzo and Dorothy Trezise.