Volunteering at Minda has proven to be a fulfilling experience for many. Just ask Donna, Beverley, Sue and Julie who have contributed nearly 1000 hours between the four of them.
While they don’t volunteer for the accolades, it hasn’t gone unnoticed with the four receiving a Boothby Award. The award recognises the exceptional service the volunteers in the Boothby council ward provide to our community.
Donna’s story:
Donna first became a volunteer at Minda when, in December 2022, she responded to an advertisement for a Volunteer Community Connector to develop and manage volunteer driven inclusive activities at the INC Café.
As an avid card player, Donna offered to lead a Canasta Club on a weekly basis, which has since gone from strength to strength, now clocking an attendance of 20-30 people.
“I’m retired now so I had the spare time, and I enjoy mixing with the people and love playing cards,” she said.
“We always make everyone feel welcome and the Minda clients come and have a chat with us too.”
Beverley’s story:
Beverley, an avid knitter and crocheter, was also a regular visitor to the INC Café. In February 2023, a client (also named Bev) had suggested Minda start a knitting and crocheting group. Who was the best person for the job – Beverley, of course!
The inclusive knitting and crocheting group, known as ‘Cups of Conversation’, has grown to include up to 25 keen crafters at each meeting.
The skills and sense of achievement the group have attained from Beverley’s excellent teaching skills is fantastic as she provides a welcoming and inclusive environment that keeps knitters and crocheters coming back each week.
Beverley’s first inkling of public service came as a 3-year-old when she would collect dinner plates at the senior citizens group in Fairfield Victoria.
“I’ve always been giving to the community – in childhood I was in a farm-based community and loved being part of a team. Volunteering was normal life in our community. The joy was being with others and giving to others,” she said.
Beverley has had an accomplished career as the founder of Walk Beside Suicide Prevention Network in SA, Slip on Socks & Next of Kin Care Packs, and she also volunteers with Hallett Cove Lions Club, Park Run, Resolute Ready, Bread Run, Glenelg Veterans Shed, Jamie Larcombe Centre and the Veterans Wellness Centre, Wesley Life Force, Reynella Neighbourhood Centre, RNC Inc and Catherine House.
Julie’s story:
Julie has six children, including two sons who live with disability, one of which attends Minda’s day options program, MyPath.
Julie and her husband Stephen were often at Minda’s INC Café after dropping their son off at MyPath.
Being a fan of knitting, Julie was very interested in the weekly ‘Cups of Conversation’ knitting and crocheting group and in September 2023 became a member of the group and a backup facilitator to Beverley.
Now the pair share the responsibilities of the group with Julie’s main interest being knitting.
Julie, who has also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Salvation Army,
introduced easy knitting projects in packs for beginners to purchase which were very popular and her experience with intellectual disability is invaluable to the group.
She loves to see the enjoyment and sense of achievement on the faces of the participants.
Wanting to help in some way, Julie has sent Christmas gifts to remote Aboriginal communities and knitted trauma dolls for the children of countries ravaged by disaster for more than 20 years.
Sue’s story:
Sue enquired about volunteering opportunities at Minda in September 2022 and has since contributed more than 350 volunteer hours.
After retiring from her general manager position in the building industry, Sue held volunteer roles as a chairperson with not-for-profit Inclusive Sport, director and board member with not-for-profit Motor Neuron Disease MND, and chairperson with Housing Industry Association HIA-Building Women’s Program.
Sue loves fitness and was a keen walker so Minda decided to develop an inclusive walking group with INC Café being the start and finishing point as another means to connect with the community.
While Sue has been leading two walking groups, she also helps with client events and gardening groups from time to time and this year will be managing Minda’s volunteer reviews by interviewing over 100 volunteers!
If you'd like more information on Community Connections, phone 1800 164 632 to speak to our Volunteer Specialist.