WestSeed: Explore the many forms of Good Health and Wellbeing
At our most recent Volunteer Managers Network meeting, participating volunteer managers shared ways in which they support the health and wellbeing of their volunteers.
Some examples included keeping volunteers connected to the organisation via social events, engaging in activities like chair yoga, and just making a simple phone call to check in on their wellbeing.
Good health is being free from illness or injury and wellbeing is the state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy. Not only does volunteering have benefits for the community, but also to the mental and physical health of the volunteer as shown in the State of Volunteering Report.
The uncertainty of the last year with the Covid-19 pandemic has seen a decrease in volunteering which has put pressure on not-for-profits to meet the needs of the community. The Australian National University conducted research that found loneliness and loss of life satisfaction was felt more by people who stopped volunteering compared to those who continue volunteering. Volunteering has also been associated with a sense of belonging within a community, a higher sense of wellbeing and a preventative against cognitive decline.
The health, safety and wellbeing of any volunteer is of the utmost importance and should be at the forefront of how volunteering involving organisations run.
5 Ways to Wellbeing has some wonderful resources, including suggestions of how to look after your own wellbeing:
Connect
Be Active
Take Notice
Keep Learning
Give
See the organisations in Melbourne’s West who encompass health and wellbeing into their practises:
Papua New Guinea Women's Association Victoria
The Papua New Guinea Women’s Association Victoria (PNGWAV) aims to create a one stop shop for the needs of Papua New Guinea women and their families in Victoria. They aim to make sure their members become productive and eventually help Papua New Guinea women back in Papua New Guinea (through selective organisations), especially survivors of domestic and family violence. The association also aims to preserve their cultural heritage by creating programs for children and showcasing their rich cultural heritage when they participate in events with other organisations.
Phone: 0410 670 466
Email: pngwav@gmail.com
Papua New Guinea Australia Association Victoria Inc
The Papua New Guinea Australia Association Inc (PNGAAV) is a not-for-profit community organisation. PNGAAV is an administrative body for all Papua New Guinea related groups that wish to exist under the umbrella of their association. They strive to provide a welcoming and inclusive Papua New Guinea community and family as home away from home for Papua New Guineans living in Victoria. Their members are Papua New Guineans living in Melbourne and regional Victoria, and friends who have some affiliation with Papua New Guinea.
Phone: 0458 801 823
Email: pngaustassvic@gmail.com
Gateways is recognised and respected for their expertise in supporting children and adults with a broad range of disabilities including autism, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, challenging behaviours and complex medical needs. They are committed to providing quality, safety and wellbeing to every person they support.
They currently provide services throughout the Barwon region, Wyndham, western Melbourne, Warrnambool and South West Victoria with offices in Geelong, Werribee, Footscray, and Warrnambool.
Western Melbourne Office
Phone: (03) 9396 1111
Email: westernmelbourne@gateways.com.au
Werribee Office
Phone: (03) 9749 7388
Email: westernmelbourne@gateways.com.au
The Good Karma Effect is a registered charity that supports the establishment and maintenance of Good Karma Networks (GKNs). These networks are location based, safe, online communities for neighbours to connect, share resources and find positive solutions to each other’s challenges. GKNs empower connected, healthy and sustainable communities across Melbourne and Australia.
Join their Good Karma Networks via their Facebook Groups below:
The Pasefika Hub Inc runs free playgroups and basketball programs that are open to the public and feature learning about Pacific culture and abecedarian sessions for children and youth in the Brimbank area, including Deer Park and St Albans. The program also runs after-school cultural education and basketball programs.
Phone: 0458 579 991
Email: thepasefikahubinc@outlook.com
Sunshine Youth Space offers a safe, apolitical and non-religious space for youths aged between 12 and 25 years of age, to participate in free sports and other activities. It opened its doors in 2018 to address the gaps in youth services after a series of consultations between Brimbank Youth Services and Sunshine Uniting Church.
Sunshine Youth Space also runs The Youth Business Program, which supports youth led businesses by offering free marketing opportunities to increase their customer base and sales target.
Phone: 0438 611 680
Email: coordinator@sunshineyouthspace.com
The Sunshine Street Band meet fortnightly at St Albans Community Centre every Tuesday fortnight from 7pm - 9pm and is open to players of all skill levels and ability. It's free and fun. There is no eligibility or audition process and if you’d like to join, just come along!
ParKanDo seeks to assist those affected by Parkinson's Disease in Melbourne's West by facilitating the development and implementation of various activities in which their members can be involved.
Phone: 1800 644 189
Email: parkando.west@gmail.com
The SUBSTATION presents a curated program of contemporary, experimental art by local, national and international artists in their distinctive multi-artform spaces. Working with artists from across disciplines, in non-traditional modes, they create opportunities for audiences to experience the best contemporary and experimental arts and participate in an inspired, critical dialogue about our world.
Phone: (03) 9391 1110
Email: info@thesubstation.org.au
Community Tributaries Inc (CT) is an inclusive community group based in Melbourne Australia. CT undertakes initiatives to help individuals and community groups, especially those new to Australia, though the exchange of skills and resources.
The purpose of the group is to promote lifelong learning and social interaction amongst their members in a healthy and active semi-retirement or retirement. They want to maintain and develop their skills while ensuring an affordable, safe and stress free environment, and share their knowledge and skills with each other in an equal and voluntary capacity.
U3A Altona provide excursions and outings to many places of interest. These activities are connected to their courses but also offer an opportunity to interact with other local groups, as well as learning it also gives members an opportunity to socialise.
Phone: 0428 846 243 (Peter Bainbridge)
Email: peterjudeb@yahoo.com.au
U3A Moonee Valley Incorporated is a voluntary, not-for-profit community organisation which provides educational programs to promote healthy, active ageing and opportunities for lifelong learning. Membership is open to anyone over 50 years who is retired or semi-retired.
Phone: 03 9337 7779
Email: info@u3amooneevalley.com.au
Vietnamese Families with Special Needs
The Vietnamese Families with Special Needs Inc. (VFSN Inc.) is a non-profit organisation established in 2003 in response to clearly expressed support needs and the isolation and stigma felt by community members living with a disability. The group, based in the Western metro region of Melbourne, aims to enhance the mental and social wellbeing of Vietnamese families who have children with a disability.
Phone: 0448 417 513
Email: vn.specialneeds@gmail.com
The Yarraville Community Centre is a vibrant community hub that provides education, training and support to more than 2,000 people each week. As a community-managed adult education provider in western metropolitan Melbourne, they offer a wide range of courses.
They provide community services such as free public access to computers, occasional childcare and service referrals. They can develop curriculum and manage projects. Their facilities are available for support groups that benefit the local community, and their multipurpose rooms can be hired for meetings and functions.
Phone: 9687 1560
Email: info@ycc.net.au
United Spanish Latin American Welfare Centre Inc
United, Spanish Latin American Welfare Centre (UNITED) is the go-to organization for Spanish speakers in Victoria. UNITED provides a wide range of aged care services and support services, prioritizing the Spanish speaking community. T their services are culturally and linguistically appropriate for all the different communities in Victoria. Since 40 years ago, they have worked towards creating a healthy and resilient community in wide range of areas to help all round development.
Phone: 9318 2949
Email: info@united.org.au
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria recognises the importance of education and they are committed to impacting long-term improvement by providing educational support to any young person in need. In 2021, their seven education programs will help hundreds of young people build confidence, explore learning, provide care, and a weekly commitment to supported learning. They aim to create learning spaces that are safe and fun. Their outside school education programs have an army of regular volunteers that ensure young people have the support needed to develop the social, emotional and academic skills and confidence to succeed today.
Phone: 1300 736 933
Email: volunteer@svdp-vic.org.au
Macedonian Community Welfare Association
The Macedonian Community Welfare Association provide in home care for older people living independently in the community. They support clients who speak English as an additional language, their first language includes Macedonian, Maltese, Italian and Greek.
Phone: 1800 988 767
Email: info@mcwa.org.au
Africause aim to support and facilitate an engaged African-Australian community in all areas of life – Socio-Cultural / Economic / sport / Political and build their resilience as active citizens where they are directly involved in identifying and managing solutions to impediments to their full participation as members of the broader Australian society.
Phone: 03 9042 1604
Email: harmony@africause.org.au
Djerriwarrh delivers a range of education, training, employment and youth specific programs for local communities that are funded by State and Federal Government Departments. The Homework Club provides a safe and supportive out-of-school learning environment where primary or junior secondary students, can participate in educational activities to learn, connect and grow. The program runs during school terms on Thursdays from 3.30pm – 5.00pm, for children from the South Sudanese community. They offer enriching hands-on activities as well as academic development. This program is assisted by enthusiastic volunteers who have an interest in supporting these young people with their homework.
Phone: 0422 040 046
Email: katyl@djerriwarrh.org
Dinka Ethnic School of Victoria Inc
Dinka Ethnic School of Victoria Inc is a language school dedicated to deliver classified and professional Dinka Language to Dinka Speaking groups from Sudan. They also run sports activities and lessons teaching traditional Dinka music and dance. The Dinka Ethnic School of Victoria Inc is accredited by the State Education Department.
Phone: 0422 282 621
Email: makucdeng@live.com.au
Gabriela Australia (Association of Filipino Women)
Gabriela Australia provides education and information sessions on the rights and welfare of women and children, with a focus on the areas of health and family violence. The association also provides support to victims and/or survivors of family violence and sexual assault which include accompanying or representing to various groups and/or agencies, referral, counselling, community support and other support such document preparation.
Phone: 0411 406 700
Email: maykotsakis@gmail.com
Prayas Inc organisation organise and hold events. They organise cultural functions (predominantly Indian) but also generic events such as women's luncheons, karaoke and more in the Manor Lakes area. They also fundraise and are involved in Emergency Relief and is supporting United Sikhs by raising money to buy Oxygen cylinders and Oxygen Concentrators to fight Covid-19 situation in India and your contribution will make a significant impact in saving lives.
Email: prayas3024@gmail.com
NatureWest is not one group but an amalgamation of past groups and a network of groups concerned about our natural environment. Nature West is a not-for-profit association for individuals, groups and organisations that share an environmental vision for the wider Werribee catchment.
Phone: 0401 645 468
Email: volunteer@naturewest.org.au
Wyndham Bright Young Leaders Program
Bright Young Leaders is a 7-week leadership program for children aged 7-12 years old. Each week the facilitator will cover a different leadership topic as the children participate in fun individual and group activities.
Email: wyndhamBYL@gmail.com
Wyndham Victory Netball club offers the residents of the City of Wyndham an opportunity to be involved in the sport of netball through a friendly and well-run club that provides opportunity and encouragement. Anyone wanting to play netball, no matter their experience level, their ability, their height, their age or their background, Wyndham Victory Netball will do its best to provide that opportunity for them.
Phone: 0437 078 739
Email: everfirst@iinet.net.au
Bridge Builders for Australasia (BBFA)
Bridge Builders for Australasia is a non-profit, Melbourne-based association of volunteers. They support youth and elderly of Filipino descent in Melbourne through cultural, emotional, and physical development activities; they work to build connections with other communities in Melbourne and they support the poor and needy in Australasia, especially in the Philippines. They recently organised the Australian BBQ and Lechon Festival and Competition, a community and cultural event, on 22 May 2021 that was attended by over 5,000 people!
Phone: 0403 007 950
Email: melba.cabato@gmail.com
Encompass Community Services Hub
Encompass Community Services is a multi-faceted and diverse organisation. For over 35 years they have been offering a broad range of services and support to people living with disabilities and helping the disadvantaged within the community.
They run a wide variety of programs and services including Encompass College of Education and Training, Disability Employment Services, NDIS Services (Life Skills & Flexible Supports, Recreation and Travel, In Home Care and Domestic Supports, Accommodation Services), Support Coordination, and Social Enterprises (pre-loved furniture shop, pre-loved clothing shops, café, farm).
Phone: 0433 566 575 (Jorge)
Email: jorge@encompass-cs.org.au
The organisations listed above are part of WestSeed 1.0.
See all the WestSeed blogs to get inspired by the wonderful organisations in Melbourne’s west.