Get involved: It’s never been easier to get into Volunteering around WA

Volunteering is the lifeblood of Western Australian communities – from chipping in at the local sports club, to sorting clothes in an op shop or working with larger organisations to make a difference in people’s lives. 

We understand for many people volunteering is something you’d love to get involved in, but you’re not exactly sure how to go about it, or whether you can fit it in to your busy life.

If you fall into one of the above categories or are just simply interested in doing some volunteering in the community, we’re here to help.

National Volunteer Week (May 15-21) has just kicked off, and with volunteer organisations eager to bounce back from the impacts of the pandemic and so many incredible volunteering opportunities available, there’s no better time to get involved in volunteering.

It’s a great way to connect with your community, meet new people, gain some new experiences and skills, open up pathways to employment and in many ways, nurture your own physical and mental wellbeing.

First of all, if you’re new to volunteering, it’s important to recognise that it doesn’t have to take up your entire life – you can be in control of how much time you devote each week, fortnight or month to a cause or organisation.

Explore a wide range of exciting volunteer opportunities by looking online.

Here are some other things to consider when getting started:

• Think about your interests and what sort of tasks give you the most enjoyment;
• Plan out your time capacity so you are realistic about how much you can commit;
• Be aware of your motivations to volunteer, to help you thrive and be of benefit to the organisation;
• Start looking for opportunities online;
• Research local organisations and contact them to ask if they need help (this is a fantastic resource to get you started);
• Look out for ads on community boards, or at universities and TAFE.

The WA Government’s volunteering website is a great start point for your volunteering journey, with links to established places like Volunteering WA, Emergency Support Volunteering, The YVolunteer Project and Volunteer Society.

There’s no better time to get involved with volunteering than during National Volunteer Week – head to the Department of Communities website to get involved today.

Header Image Credit: Volunteering WA

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This article is sponsored by Department of Communities and endorsed by us. Please see our Editorial Policy for more info.