Greater Dandenong Disability Inclusive Volunteering

10/08/2023

The hidden disability sunflower is popping up across the globe. Here's what it means and what to do if you see it

Things most Australians don't think twice about doing can send Alexandra Green into a severe pain flare.

"I find it hard if I stand for too long — after five minutes it can get quite bad. Sitting at a desk for too long can also be painful," she said.

The hidden disability sunflower has become an internationally-recognised icon, but advocates say it's still relatively unknown in Australia. Here's what it’s all about.

09/08/2023

Get Involved -

Are you a Not-for-Profit in need of volunteers! Do you provide services in and around the Monash area? Then register to be a part of the Monash Volunteer Expo! This is a free event for all - an opportunity to showcase your programs and services and hopefully recruit some great volunteers! Details are:
Date: Friday 8 September 2023
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Venue: Mount Waverley Youth Centre, 45 Miller Crescent
Mount Waverley

If you are interested email [email protected] for a registration form.

07/08/2023

New initiative connects people living with disabilities to volunteering opportunities at charities.

Anthony's role at Treasure Boxes's warehouse is to restore donated car seats for babies and children.

With the assistance of a helper, he re-fits the fabric and harnesses and then checks the chairs against a list of safety requirements before they go to families in need.

Treasure Boxes is a charity that provides basic essentials to vulnerable children around South Australia.

"It's getting me out … from where I live to what I call normal employment for someone semi-retired," Anthony said.

A new initiative funded by the federal government is helping people living with disabilities and charities connect to reap the mutual benefits of volunteering.

06/08/2023

Celebrating National Student Volunteer Week 2023

Today marks the beginning of this year’s National Student Volunteer Week, a week-long celebration to acknowledge the impact that student volunteers bring about through volunteering.
The theme for 2023 is Give. Grow. Belong, which taps into a generation who are more socially conscious than ever before. Rather than stand idly by, students around Australia are committed to getting involved with causes they believe in to contribute to positive change.
Give: share your time, skill or talent in any way you can.
Grow: realise that personal wellbeing comes from giving to others.
Belong: doing something together forges deep connection.
Thank you to Australia's youth who make a difference in their communities and are gaining insights into the power of volunteering.
https://www.nationalstudentvolunteerweek.org.au/?mc_cid=b8a3b146ef&mc_eid=ca268b8c05

03/08/2023

Eastlake Football Club volunteer program opens doors for people with disability.

Truth be told, Ben Parker was nervous when he first started volunteering at Eastlake Football Club.

These days he’s part of the family, but he had joined as one of five volunteers with a disability and hadn’t spent a lot of time in the community.

Volunteers in the program assist Eastlake Football Club on game day with a wide range of jobs depending on their abilities, interests and suitability.

Truth be told, Ben Parker was nervous when he first started volunteering at Eastlake Football Club. These days he's part…

02/08/2023

Isabella finds leaving the house 'very overwhelming'. Here's how wearing a sunflower has helped.

Millions of Australians have non-visible disabilities. A sunflower-themed initiative is aiming to make day-to-day activities easier and more inclusive experiences for them.

Whenever Isabella Fantasia leaves her house, she takes her "autism survival kit" with her.

"Entering the outside world is very overwhelming and can be quite stressful because I have to take into consideration sensory components like noise, smells, fabrics, anything I touch, things being too bright," the Melbourne-based disability and youth advocate says.

Without it, Isabella, who is neurodivergent and has learning and psychosocial disabilities, feels "very stressed" and underprepared for what the day might throw at her.

Millions of Australians have non-visible disabilities. A sunflower-themed initiative is aiming to make day-to-day activities easier and more inclusive experiences for them.

01/08/2023

Exciting news this week as volunteering was included as a measure of social connection in Measuring What Matters, Australia’s First Wellbeing Framework.
This is deserved recognition for the vital role volunteering plays in enhancing wellbeing, both individually and collectively.

Measuring What Matters is Australia’s first national wellbeing framework that will track our progress towards a more healthy, secure, sustainable, cohesive and prosperous Australia. The Measuring What Matters Framework (Framework) has five wellbeing themes:

03/07/2023

National Volunteering Guide - updated May 2023.

Justice Connect have created this very useful guide for any organisation who engages volunteers.

Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law has free resources to guide you through the legal issues relating to the engagement of volunteers.

02/07/2023

Happy Week! 🖤💛❤️
NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, and participate in nationwide celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

This year's theme is 'For Our Elders', acknowledging the important role Elders play in First Nations communities and families across every generation.

Hear more about what eldership means across communities. 👉 🎥 https://bit.ly/430VfKe
Find events near you 👉 https://bit.ly/3pqiuzp