We asked Mark Pierce, the CEO of Volunteering Australia for his Top 5 Tips about recognising National Volunteer Week and he told us…
1.Volunteer Week is about celebrating everyone who volunteers their time for the common good. This includes people volunteering through organisations (what we call formal volunteering) and people giving their time to help others in their community (what we call informal volunteering.) It is Australia’s largest celebration of volunteers.
2.The theme for National Volunteer Week 2021 is Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine. We chose this theme to acknowledge the role that volunteers have played in the last year. Amidst the pandemic, while many of us stayed home, volunteers continued to deliver essential services, organise food packages and offer care, comfort and more to support the well-being of Australians. Volunteers make our communities stronger, especially during times of need, crisis or isolation.
3.This National Volunteer Week, we are highlighting the value that volunteering brings to individuals as well as communities. In a year when many of us have experienced increased loneliness or isolation, mental health or financial stress, volunteering can help. Evidence shows that volunteering connects us to others in our local communities, to better mental well-being or to potential pathways to employment. When we help others in our community or give our time to a cause we value, we also give back to ourselves.
4.You can celebrate volunteering during National Volunteer Week in many different ways. There are lots of resources that can help you celebrate. Or you can simply reach out to those in your community who also volunteer and say a big ‘Thank you’.
5. Don’t forget to Wave Your Appreciation for volunteers all over Australia. This social media campaign is about recognising, celebrating and thanking volunteers for the vital role they play in our lives and communities.
