Volunteer

Community Support Workers (CSW)

When a person comes to an agency for support, volunteers listen empathically to their story to learn about their situation and understand their needs. Using knowledge and skills they have developed through comprehensive training, volunteers conduct a holistic assessment and assist by addressing the presenting and underlying reasons for seeking assistance. The types of assistance provided include information, referrals, advocacy and practical support. For more information about the role, view our CSW volunteer factsheet here.

To become a community support worker, volunteers must be willing to complete CISVic’s community support worker course or have relevant industry skills and experience. For more information on the course, click here to view our CSW course factsheet.

Click HERE to hear from Alexis, a volunteer Community Support Worker.

Specialist Volunteers

Specialist volunteers include individuals with specific skills in various fields, including governance, finance, fundraising, legal, communication and relationship building, marketing and social media, occupational health and safety, IT and website, labourers, etc. These volunteers use their skills and experience to support the agencies in functioning at their best.
Specific specialist volunteer roles include:

Energy Mentor volunteers
Provide specialist face-to-face support to enable those experiencing utility hardship to understand and take control of their utility bills.

No Interest Loan volunteers
Provide people and families access to safe, fair and affordable credit. Tax Help volunteers help and support eligible people in managing their tax obligations.

L2P volunteers
Become a mentor driver who supports young people without access to a supervising driver to gain their probationary licence.

Caseworkers
Experienced community workers or social workers- volunteer to provide comprehensive client-centred support.

Volunteer Resource officers
Provide support to people looking for volunteer opportunities in their local community.

Community Meals volunteers
Programs that provide healthy meals to community members.

Justice of the Peace volunteers
Justices of the Peace (JPs) provide document witnessing and certification services to the community.

Community Garden volunteers
Get your hands dirty by growing various fruits and vegetables to supplement community meals or community food programs.

Committee of Management volunteers
Volunteers that have been given authority and responsibility to manage the affairs of the agencies through the provision of leadership, oversight and direction.

Op-shop retail volunteers
Help to organise donations, select, price and prepare quality stock for the shop.

Click HERE to hear from Henry, a volunteer Committee of Management member.

Reception, Administration and Data Entry Volunteers

These office-based roles assist agencies by providing support to carry out the agencies’ daily operations or a warm and inviting welcome to clients. Duties may include answering phones, greeting clients, responding to enquiries and emails, completing online orders, updating and maintaining brochures and agency information, entering data online, and so much more.

Click HERE to hear from Michelle, a volunteer receptionist at a member agency.

Helping Hands Volunteers

These non-client-facing roles generally do not require any prior experience or additional training. Roles or duties may include sorting incoming food deliveries, packing shelves, packing food parcels for clients, food handling, cleaning, driving, and more.