A room filled with music, conversation and volunteers working side by side. During our visit to Vinnies Soup Vans in Kensington, Bill and Lenie shared how simple, consistent acts of kindness can help build a strong sense of community.

As we approach National Volunteer Week (18–24 May), we would like to share a small story about Wendy, a volunteer we met during our visit to Foodbank Victoria a couple of months ago.

At the Moonee Valley Festival, we spotted a familiar face. Darren McClelland, who we have worked with for years through Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley, came over to say hello.

But this time, he was not there with them. Darren was volunteering with Moonee Valley Sustainability.

During our visit to Foodbank Victoria’s new warehouse in Altona, we saw how small moments, shared morning tea, friendly conversations and welcoming spaces, help build a strong volunteer community.

After navigating the settlement journey himself, Ibrahim now supports refugee and migrant families so they do not have to face the process alone.

When Namrata arrived in Australia in February 2025, she was beginning a completely new chapter in her life. She had left her home country, her family, and the work she knew, and moved to Australia to build a new life with her husband.

Our recent workshop in Altona brought together professionals navigating career change, illness recovery and new beginnings, exploring how volunteering can support confidence, connection and future opportunities.

When Annie stepped away from full-time work, she wanted to stay engaged and give back to her community. Through Volunteer West, she found her place at Kororoit Creek Neighbourhood House, supporting a carers’ group where connection, kindness, and culture come together.

More than 100 people came together on Bunurong Country for a meaningful morning of planting, storytelling, cultural learning and community connection during our NAIDOC Week celebration.

As National Reconciliation Week came to a close, a member of the Volunteer West team joined the River Ramble for Reconciliation Walk along the Maribyrnong River, a meaningful community gathering centred on reflection, connection and walking together toward a more respectful future.

During National Volunteer Week, the Volunteer West team joined the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre to celebrate volunteering through sweets, stories and shared memories of home, while also meeting Rob, one of ASRC’s longest-serving volunteers, now in his 23rd year of service.

A visit to Rotary Donations in Kind (DIK) reveals how a warehouse run entirely by volunteers becomes a place of connection, purpose and quiet impact, through people like Long, who has been giving his time for over two decades.

At the Wyndham Volunteer Expo, we met Katherine, who has volunteered with Wyndham Girl Guides for 15 years, alongside Elizabeth, one of the young people she once mentored and who is now proudly representing the Guides herself.

At the Wyndham Volunteer Expo, we met Afreen, who shared how volunteering with IPC Health helped her build confidence, gain experience and secure her first paid job.

During a recent visit to Borderlands Cooperative in Melbourne’s west, the Volunteer West team was warmly welcomed by Jacques Boulet and invited into a thoughtful community space grounded in social justice, reflection, learning and connection.

Last night, a member of the Volunteer West team attended the opening of Blak Women’s Healing at Arts House, a powerful exhibition and gathering centred on First Nations women, storytelling, healing and cultural strength.

As part of an empowering women’s workshops and community learning sessions, participants recently visited Foodbank Victoria to learn more about volunteering, community support and the important role volunteers play across Victoria.

At Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS) and our division Volunteer West, diversity is not only something we promote through our work and community engagement. It is deeply embedded in who we are, in our staff, our stories, our relationships and the communities we walk alongside every day.

Volunteering is more than just following instructions—it is about taking initiative, creating impact, and fostering inclusion. Amale, a dedicated volunteer at Wintringham’s Delahey Social Housing Community, is a perfect example of this.

Through volunteering at Volunteer West, Daniel has built confidence, connection and a stronger sense of purpose, while also using his voice to advocate for people living with hidden disabilities.