National Volunteer Week runs from 19 to 25 May and it’s an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our community, and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go.
At DSV, our volunteers are such a valued, essential part of our programs, events and community. Last financial year, DSV had 82 volunteers support us and our programs and we are lucky to have each one!
We’d like to introduce you to one of our wonderful Club21 volunteers, Sophie. We asked her a few questions about herself and her experience volunteering.
DSV: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Sophie: Hi! My name is Sophie and I’m 21 years old. I am a third-year student studying psychology at university. Alongside my studies, I work casually in retail in Ballarat and with the Western Bulldogs as an Ahead of the Game mental health facilitator. I’ve recently started volunteering with the Western Bulldogs Youth Leadership Program, as well as with Down Syndrome Victoria through the Club21 program. In my spare time, I love spending quality time with my family – our favourite activity to do together is waterskiing – catching up with my friends, and hanging out with my very adorable dog, Molly.
DSV: What does your volunteer role with DSV involve?
Sophie: I volunteer with Club21 in Ballarat. Some recent activities in Ballarat have included Laser Force, swimming, and a karaoke night, but the possibilities are endless, and Club21 is always on the lookout for fun, new ideas to try! As volunteers at these social events, our role includes offering support where needed, whether it’s helping a participant with payments or keeping the group together. Most importantly, we spend quality time socialising and having fun with the participants alongside the other volunteers and leaders.
DSV: What made you decided to volunteer with DSV?
Sophie: I initially stumbled across Club21 while researching volunteer roles for my fieldwork, for my degree. I have always had a passion for mental health and disability support, and for helping create environments where everyone feels valued, included, and empowered to lead a fulfilling life. The program instantly grabbed my attention as something I would love to be a part of. I was drawn to the Club21 mission and excited about the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a community I care deeply about.
DSV: What do you get out of volunteering?
Sophie: Volunteering with Club21 offers a deeply rewarding experience on both personal and professional levels. It has given me the opportunity to build genuine connections with the participants and fellow volunteers, deepen my understanding and empathy, and strengthen my communication and interpersonal skills, all of which contribute to both my personal growth and also to my future career in psychology. Throughout my short time as a volunteer, I have learned so much already from the participants themselves. Their warmth and resilience always guarantee that I will leave Club21 activities with a smile on my face and the warm and fuzzies inside!
DSV: Why you think others should volunteer with DSV and what advice do you have?
Sophie: I wholeheartedly encourage others to volunteer with Down Syndrome Victoria! It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of our lives, but taking time to give back through something as meaningful as Club21 not only benefits the community, it also brings you so much joy. Not to mention, the program offers a short break from our own lives, is highly flexible, and is supported by incredibly cooperative and kind staff who make the experience even more rewarding. My advice to anyone thinking about this is: go in with an open mind and an open heart. You will be amazed at the connections you will form, how much fun you’ll have, and the lessons you will learn that will stay with you. It is a beautiful experience to be a part of!
DSV: Thanks Sophie! We love having you as part of our community!
If you have any questions about volunteering with DSV, we would love to hear from you. You can visit our Volunteers page or email volunteer@dsav.asn.au, but if you’re sold and ready to take the next step, we’d love you to submit a Volunteer Registration Form and our team will be in touch shortly.
While we invite all applications, we’re actively recruiting volunteers in regional areas for Club21 and volunteers in our Metro, Greensborough, Frankston, Bendigo and our upcoming Hawthorn locations for FitSkills21. If that’s you, we would love to hear from you!
A big thank you for everyone at DSV to all of our volunteers! We couldn’t do what we do without you!