Doug: He Almost Didn't Apply

Sometimes the hardest part of volunteering is taking the first step.

Doug paused halfway through tidying up to speak with us. It was his very first day at FareShare. He had originally signed up for the early morning shift from 7.00 am to 8.30 am, but by 12.30 pm, he was still there helping to tidy up after the second shift.

“I just kept going,” he laughed.

Doug’s interest in FareShare began years earlier during Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns, when he was working as a tram driver on Route 109 through Victoria Street.

Photo description: Doug pauses his cleaning duties during his first volunteer shift to smile and chat with us.

With the streets much quieter than usual, he often noticed FareShare trucks coming and going. He later learned that FareShare was a charity kitchen preparing and delivering meals for people in need.

While so much of Melbourne had slowed down, FareShare’s work continued. Seeing those trucks on the road stayed with Doug, and he remained curious about the organisation.

After his wife passed away, Doug wanted to give something back through volunteering. He looked into FareShare, but almost did not apply because he misunderstood the requested commitment period. He thought it meant he would have to volunteer every week and would not be able to take a holiday.

He thought about it for a while, then decided to apply and ask FareShare about it. He soon learned that taking time off was possible. He would simply need to let the team know in advance.

What Doug thought might stop him from volunteering turned out not to be a barrier for him after all.

Thank you, Doug, for taking that first step, and for getting up early on a Melbourne winter morning to help prepare meals for people who need them.

If you have been thinking about volunteering but feel unsure about some parts of the role, it may be worth reaching out to the organisation and asking your questions. Sometimes, something that feels like a barrier may be easier to work through than you first thought.

Doug’s story brings our FareShare volunteer story series to a close. We feel very lucky to have met so many wonderful volunteers during our visit.

A special thank you to Joan, Louise, Clare, Matilda and Doug for sharing their experiences with us and allowing us to share their stories with others.

We hope these stories encourage you to think about volunteering when the time feels right for you. It may be a way to meet people, build connections, contribute to your community or simply try something new.

When people give their time and look out for one another, our communities become a little more connected and caring.