Blue Haven has around 80 volunteers who assist with many community-based activities. This includes driving or helping on community buses and/or cars, which transport clients to medical appointments, shopping trips, group outings and events. Volunteers also assist our clients to maintain community links, supporting community engagement and social connectivity which is integral to health and well-being.
Volunteers assist clients to attend day programs and activities including: musical reminiscence, pet companionship, arts, crafts, indoor bowls, bocce (a favourite), bingo, guest speakers, concerts and exhibitions.
Visits from local schools and pre-schools also provide the opportunity for intergenerational activities. Volunteers help make all of this (and more) possible.
Fred is one of our volunteer Blue Haven bus drivers, and also does volunteer work for Kiama Community Radio. We asked Fred his work driving the Blue Haven bus:
“I’ve done about 140 of these trips over the 3.5 years I’ve been volunteering and find it interesting and rewarding.”
Why did you volunteer? "I had just retired myself and thought that it might get me out of my comfort zone and also give something back to the community. It certainly has been a great experience and is one I’d recommend to anyone."
What do you enjoy about volunteering? "Meeting a range of interesting people, while helping people and giving something back to the community. I enjoy talking to each of the clients about their family and life story and most people are very happy to have a yarn about anything that’s on their mind."
We’d love to hear more… "As I also volunteer for Kiama Community Radio, I obtained approval to interview any willing client about their interesting lives. These can be found on the KCR website under ‘Tales from the Blue Haven Bus’!"
Interested? Find out more at https://bluehavenillawarra.com.au/about-us/volunteering/