This National Volunteer Week, Warrigal are recognising the crucial role that volunteers play in our communities, and the positive impact their work has in improving the lives of older people.

From the 19^th to 25^th May, Australia will celebrate National Volunteer Week, the largest annual celebration of volunteers across the country. The celebration is particularly special this year, as Warrigal has recently achieved an outstanding milestone of registering their 500^th volunteer!

Warrigal was founded almost 60 years ago by a group of volunteers who recognised a need for good-quality aged care services in the Illawarra. Today, Warrigal provides a range of essential services to our older people throughout NSW and the ACT, and continues to be governed and shaped by their dedicated volunteers.

Warrigal CEO, Jenni Hutchins, explained the importance of volunteers.

“Warrigal simply wouldn’t be what it is today without the thousands of hours our volunteers have dedicated to our organisation over the last 60 years.”

She continued, “Every conversation, every shared moment, and every small act of kindness contributes to ensuring that older people feel valued and included.”

This year, we recognise the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’. Volunteers provide support in various ways – whether it’s spending quality one-on-one time with our older people, enjoying a coffee and a good conversation, driving buses or organising social activities. These connections are vital in creating communities where older people feel known, loved, and connected, which is Warrigal’s vision.

Every Warrigal location across the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Queanbeyan, and Canberra regions welcomes volunteers. Warrigal encourages anyone who is looking to create a positive and meaningful impact for older people to get involved.

Contact volunteering@warrigal.com.au today to join our extraordinary volunteer community!