Supporting New Beginnings Through Volunteering at Laverton AMEP

On 5 August 2024, the Volunteer West team visited Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) classes at Laverton Community Education Centre to speak with students about volunteering and community participation.

During the session, we shared information about how volunteering can support people to practise English, build confidence, gain local experience and feel more connected within their community.

One of the highlights of the visit was seeing our volunteers, Kushal and Daniel, step forward to share their own experiences volunteering with Volunteer West.

Both spoke openly about how volunteering had positively impacted their confidence, personal growth and sense of connection. We were especially proud to see them take on public speaking in front of the class, something that can feel quite intimidating, and reflect on how much they had grown since first joining Volunteer West.

The session also created many thoughtful conversations with students about belonging, participation and finding ways to become involved in the community while settling into life in Australia.

Following the presentation, several students reached out to Volunteer West to learn more about our one-on-one support services and explore volunteering opportunities for themselves.

Experiences like this remind us that volunteering can be a meaningful pathway for people building new lives and connections in Australia. Beyond developing skills and experience, volunteering can also help people feel welcomed, valued and more connected to their local community.