Volunteering
JewishCare could not do all that it does without volunteers. There are many ways for you to get involved as a volunteer and JewishCare has over 500 volunteers who really make a difference.
Whether you are in full-time education, working full or part-time, taking a career break or reaching retirement, you can make a difference to other people’s lives – from just an hour a week. Depending on your role you will receive all necessary training and ongoing support as required.
There are three ways you may be able to help
Training is available so volunteers can carry out their roles to the highest professional standards. There are tremendous opportunities to develop skills, build confidence and take on new and increasingly responsible tasks.
One
Working with Clients
This could involve helping clients by providing practical support eg driving an older person to appointments or meeting with a socially isolated person. It could involve helping a person with a disability or being a role model / mentor for young person in JewishCare’s Big in the Big Brother Big Sister program. You could provide regular respite for a vulnerable child in JewishCare’s Family to Family Respite program.
Two
Raising awareness about JewishCare
There is always an opportunity for volunteers to organise events, whether it be a morning tea, a movie night or a something larger, to inform family and friends about JewishCare’s important work. JewishCare’s staff are more than happy to assist with any of these events by providing speakers, films, catering, venues etc.
Three
Providing Administrative Support
JewishCare often needs help with a range of administrative tasks.
Opportunities for Family Volunteering
Family volunteering is a great activity for the family that shows children the value of volunteering and allows them to see firsthand how they can make a positive impact on another person’s life.
Family volunteers can be involved in the following activities:
Family Links
Visit an older isolated person, take them out for a coffee to keep them connected to the community.
Gardening
During Covid-19, more volunteers are needed to help our frail elderly maintain their gardens.
Yomtov Parcels
Each Pesach and Rosh Hashanah JewishCare needs volunteers to pack and delivers YomTov parcels to 200 vulnerable clients.
Disability Services
School holidays are a great time to help people with a disability at Print35, JDay and OurKitchenHand programs.
Camp Sababa
Families with children over 18 can participate in Camp Sababa.
Shabbat Dinners
JewishCare welcomes volunteers to the fortnightly Shabbat dinner at Fischl House for clients with mental health issues.
Family to Family Respite
JewishCare needs volunteer families to spend three to four hours on a weekend with a child who would benefit from the experience of being with another family. This also gives the parent/s a break.
WWC Check
The Working with Children Check (WWC Check) is a comprehensive criminal record check for people who work or volunteer with children. The WWC Check aims to increase the safety of children in our community by helping to prevent people who have a criminal history that indicates they may harm children from working with children. All JewishCare volunteers who work with children need to apply for the new working withchildren check.
Urgent Volunteer Jobs
18 – 35 year olds to be mentors and role models in JewishCare’s Big Brothers or Big Sisters program. Male Bigs are needed urgently.
‘Angel’ volunteer who is a trained eating disorder mentor.
Mentors aged 30-45 to be linked with young clients with disabilities.
Walkers to help people with disabilities to keep fit.
Drivers to take older people to social activities and appointments.
People to visit older isolated members of the community who live in the Eastern Suburbs. Part of the East Links program.
Volunteers to visit Jewish residents of non-Jewish nursing homes.
Volunteer drivers to use their own cars to drive people to and from The Burger Centre in Randwick.
Testimonials
I don’t know what we would do without JewishCare. They are so caring and efficient as well as being flexible.
Stella Wolfgang’s daughter Maryla
JewishCare sent a lovely occupational therapist who has made my house safe. Weekly visits from JewishCare’s home support staff enable me to stay here.
Livia Erdos
In 1950 JewishCare helped me to migrate to Australia and gave me the opportunity to have a great life here. Then 5 years ago when my wife died JewishCare was there again for me. You never know when you may need help and I am very thankful to JewishCare.
Jacob Binstok
As our needs have increased so has JewishCare’s help. Without JewishCare’s wonderful caring staff we would be in a home for the aged for sure.
Charles Solomon
As I can’t go out by myself, I am so appreciative of JewishCare’s staff who help me to appointments and especially the Russian speaking worker who takes me to the beach or the park each week. That is so important to me.
Anna Soroka
