NATIONAL Volunteer Week 2024 is a celebration of the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to volunteering. This year’s National Volunteer Week theme is ‘Something for Everyone’ highlighting that there’s a place for everyone in the world of volunteering.

There is a vast array of opportunities. Whether you’re drawn to environmental causes, community welfare, education, sport or beyond, there’s a place where your unique skills and interests can flourish.

Did you know that volunteering is a great way to meet new people and build healthy relationships? It strengthens your ties to the community and exposes you to people with similar interests.

Volunteering also gives you the opportunity to practise and develop your social skills.

Because volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others, it can also help you develop a solid support base. As well as helping to protect you against stress and depression, volunteering can help with mental health recovery.

Some go to options for volunteering include Lifeline, St Vincent De Paul, the Red Cross, The Smith Family, Local Community radio stations and most not for profit community-based organisations. Local Council websites usually have a list of Volunteer organisations you can approach, this is true for Ku-ring-gai Council, Hornsby Shire Council, North Sydney Council, Northern Beaches Council, Mosman Council and Willoughby City Council.

You can even look for volunteer positions on Seek Volunteer.

Did you know that if you are receiving job seeker allowance and you volunteer you will receive 5 points per reporting period towards your obligations?

Go to www.workforceaustralia.gov.au for more information about volunteering and job seeker.

For more information about Volunteering go to www.volunteeringaustralia.org