Annie: Finding the Right Place to Give Back
When Annie stepped away from full-time work in 2017 due to health reasons, she knew she wanted to stay engaged with her community. Returning to paid work didn’t feel right, but she still wanted to do something meaningful.
Image description: Clockwise from top left
Annie demonstrating the cooking; Participants enjoying the food; Annie sharing her volunteer journey with Phuong; and Annie preparing the food beforehand.
“I’ve always thought that volunteering is a wonderful space to be in,” Annie said. “For younger people, it can open doors into a career. For older people, it’s a way to stay engaged, do something meaningful, and be of assistance to the community.”
Annie had been subscribed to Volunteer West for a while, and when she saw the volunteer role for a carers’ group, she expressed her interest. But for her, it was never just about reading the role description. Volunteering, to Annie, is about finding the right fit.
“I want to work in a place where I feel positive about the environment,” she explained.
That’s why Annie makes the effort to visit in person first before she decided to accept the role. Seeing the physical space, meeting people face-to-face, and sensing the atmosphere gives her a clear idea of whether it feels right. It also helps her work out the practical side - where things are, how long transport will take, and whether the environment feels welcoming.
“I initially engaged with a few other places with volunteering opportunities that I decided not to continue with,” she shared. “But this place felt right, and I’ve really enjoyed it.”
At Kororoit Creek Neighbourhood House, Annie joined the carers’ group, which provides connection and activities for unpaid carers in the community.
“It’s about being part of the environment,” she explained. “Helping where I can, engaging with people, and making sure carers feel supported.”
Language can be a challenge, as many of the carers are from non-English speaking backgrounds. But Annie believes there is another language we all share as humans: openness, caring, and respect.
With the support and encouragement of Danielle, the Coordinator at Kororoit Creek Neighbourhood House, Annie has also stepped into greater responsibilities. Recently, she organised her first cooking demonstration for the group. She chose the recipe, bought all the ingredients herself, and prepared the food from start to finish, before showing the carers how to cook it.
The result was more than just a delicious curry — it became a moment of connection. As people shared the meal, they also shared stories about how their own countries had different versions of curry. What started as a cooking demo turned into a space for cultural exchange and communication.
Her advice to others is simple: take the first step. “If you have an interest in a particular area, see what’s on offer. Go and meet the people, walk into the space, and get a sense of how it feels. Volunteering is a meaningful way of engaging, growing, learning, and being part of something.”
Annie’s story reminds us that volunteering is a journey. For her, it has been about building trust, stepping up when the moment came, and creating meaningful connections along the way.
It was wonderful to visit the carers’ group and see the warmth, connection, and laughter shared in such a short time together. What made it even more special was knowing how the journey began. From an ad we created and promoted for Kororoit Creek Neighbourhood House, Annie found the opportunity, and now she is a valued part of the group.
Sitting in the circle, sharing food, and hearing Annie’s reflections was a highlight of my visit last month. It also reminded me of why we do this work at Volunteer West: helping small organisations reach the volunteers they need, and helping people like Annie find the place where they truly belong.