Volunteer stories
Why I volunteer at CSF
Diane Spender Julian Kilmartin
Joining CSF in 2014 as a volunteer has been a great decision . I have taught in primary schools in Karingal & Langwarrin for the past 30 years . After retiring , I now had time to volunteer in my local community . I went on the volunteer website , looking at the various volunteer jobs advertised . On seeing an interviewer job advertised , I read the skills needed & thought it would be a good fit for me .
I rung a friend for advice , concerned that I didn ’ t know all the answers for client ’ s problems & concerns . She explained that empathy for the client ’ s issues was the main thing & the knowledge to assist them would grow . This thought has proved quite true , as without empathy for the client we couldn ’ t do our job . We do not judge but assist them in any way we can to make their journey less difficult .
The friendly & caring atmosphere in the office is designed to support & share our knowledge . The collaborative problem solving by fellow interviewers & managers is what I really enjoy . We as a team endeavour to do our best to address our client ’ s needs .
Many clients are overwhelmed by our assistance & are very thankful . Having few people to turn to for assistance makes them very vulnerable . Showing kindness to them & having their problems listened to helps to lighten their heavy load . Gaining an insight into the problems many in our community suffer has taught me a lot . I now see many issues from a different point of view & endeavour to share this knowledge with family & friends .
I would thoroughly recommend volunteering at CSF in any capacity to anyone who can spare a few hours each week .
I began volunteering with CSF a little over a year ago , and having recently graduated I was keen to get some real-life experience within the community services sector . I was aware that CSF had a reputation for providing volunteers with on-going training and support , and thought that it may provide an opportunity to develop new skills .
To this end , my expectations were both met and exceeded . Formal training sessions have been specific and relevant to the many challenges faced by CSF clients . I have also been able to draw upon the wealth of experience held by staff and volunteers alike , enabling me to work with clients in identifying and addressing their needs .
However , as the weeks went by , my motivation for volunteering with CSF began to change . It became less about my professional development and more about the people accessing the service , and the stories they had to tell .
Several aspects stood out for me , not the least being the sheer number of clients accessing the service ; a testament not only to how hard some people are doing it in the local community , but to the vital role that CSF performs . I was also struck by the range and complexity of the issues these people face , generally with an amazing level of resilience in the face of adversity . This resilience often being demonstrated by taking the first step and coming into CSF .
Whether through the provision of emergency relief , advocacy or referral to other local agencies , I have gained immense satisfaction , in that over the course of interviews , clients become aware that they have realistic options , and that they are able to see a way forward .
20 The measure of a community is how it treats its most vulnerable members