Client Services Report
INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY
In partnership with the Office of Harry Jenkins MP, a morning tea
was held to celebrate International Volunteer Day in December
2011. The event brought together more than 130 volunteers from
the Whittlesea area to enjoy the presentation of the 2011 National
Volunteers Awards presented by Harry Jenkins MP. All nominated
volunteers were acknowledged for the enormous contribution they
have made to the community.
WHITTLESEA VOLUNTEER RESOURCE SERVICE
The Whittlesea Volunteer Resource Service continues to
provide support and assistance to people wishing to
volunteer in the city of Whittlesea or further afield. The
service has grown and expanded significantly over the last
12 months. The number of client queries and referrals has
trebled over the past 12 months. The service has also
continued to develop strong professional networks and now
works closely with more than 40 local organisations to
provide a range of different volunteer roles to the
community.
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION, REFERRAL AND SUPPORT
In the 2011-12 financial year, the service provided assistance on 1, 369 occasions including provision of information, referral
and follow-up support. Many community members continue to access volunteering as a pathway to employment and almost
half of the clients assisted over the last 12 months see volunteering as a pathway to gain work experience, improve English
skills and build up confidence to prepare for the workforce. The WVRS has spent much of our time advocating for increased
diversity in volunteer roles across the community, with a particular focus on roles for people with complex needs including
disability and mental illness with very positive outcomes.
VOLUNTEER TRAINING
This year the WVRS provided non accredited and accredited training to more than 276 local volunteers and our monthly
introduction to volunteering sessions continue to increase in attendance. The WVRS was also dedicated to providing
outreach services to deliver information sessions and promote volunteering in educational institutions including local
secondary schools and tertiary organisations such as NMIT and to community groups. Training sessions were well attended
across the year with the delivery of first aid training, food handling and food safety, working with people with disabilities and
emergency response training.
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