Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine. That’s the theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week. To recognise some of our amazing volunteers, we asked them to share their experience of volunteering with COTA Victoria.
Peter Clark, OM:NI volunteer
I volunteer with COTA Victoria as a member of the OM:NI Advisory Committee and as the contact person for two OM:NI Men’s Discussion Groups.
Volunteering with COTA Victoria has given me the opportunity to contribute to the community, specifically in services to older men. The personal benefit has been the social contact with a wide range of people. I recommend volunteering with COTA Victoria – it will enrich your life.
Meena Lalwani, Administrative and Peer Educator support
I help out with administration and reception to assist the staff when needed. I’m also a peer supporter, and I find that COTA Victoria really values my help in this area. I’m always learning and teaching various skills.
I’ve found it a great privilege to volunteer with the COTA Victoria family. I feel that it has benefited everyone – both me and those I help. The love, respect and appreciation I have enjoyed during this time are more than I can express in words. I have been volunteering with COTA Victoria for more than ten years… but I never really counted the years; I only enjoyed the moments. I can highly recommend COTA Victoria as a place to volunteer.
Helen Rawson, Policy Development Committee (PDC)
I joined COTA Victoria as a member of the Policy Development Committee in 2018. My role on this committee is to support the development of policies to ensure that the rights of older Victorians are protected and relevant issues are promoted.
I have always been a volunteer in many capacities since I was a young Girl Guide. Volunteering is important to my philosophy of giving back to the community. Through volunteering at COTA Victoria, I learn from others on the committee and I also use my knowledge and skills as a nurse, academic and researcher to support, connect, engage and represent with and for the benefit of older Victorians.
Stephen Madeley, Legal Volunteer with Seniors Rights Victoria
As a Legal Volunteer with Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV), I’ve been given the opportunity to practice and develop my legal skills by assisting the lawyers to do their work. SRV is a very small community legal service with limited resources, yet the matters they deal with can be very complex. Although I have only volunteered with SRV for a short time, I’ve already seen some of the impacts of elder abuse. I’ve also seen how SRV provides a tangible benefit to one of the most vulnerable segments of society, and my experiences to date have been a great conversation starter with family and friends.