Celebrating Australia’s changemakers – the army of volunteers

Doug Taylor

Chief Executive Officer at The Smith Family

Imagine changing a person’s life.

That’s what volunteering can do. At The Smith Family, volunteers are our changemakers and a vital part of a healthy national community.

Take a volunteer who helps a student with their homework at a Smith Family Learning Club. They are supporting that child to make the most of their education - providing them with the chance to change their future. That’s a rare and precious opportunity for both the student and the volunteer, and we regularly hear stories from our alumni telling us how this sort of support made all the difference to their success.

Volunteers founded The Smith Family more than 100 years ago and they’ve been an integral part of our organisation ever since. Last year, over 4,600 Smith Family volunteers filled almost 5,200 volunteer roles. They contributed nearly 116,000 hours of their time, estimated to be worth around $3.7 million. It would be very difficult for The Smith Family to carry out its vital work without that generous support, freely given.

Like many organisations that engage volunteers, rates of participation took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. These organisations are now facing the enormous challenge of both retaining existing volunteers and attracting new members.

Research by Volunteering Australia showed a 10 per cent decline in volunteers between 2019-2022, with rates dropping from 36% to 26.7%. Yet, 80% of organisations said they needed more volunteers, with 11% needing more than 100 volunteers in the short term.

So, what can be done?

A recent survey of Smith Family volunteers showed that 90% of respondents intended to return to volunteering. And when they do, the benefits are many. Volunteering provides community connections, supports physical and mental wellbeing, and facilitates social inclusion.

Volunteering Australia has highlighted three things that were needed to help organisations attract and retain vital volunteers:
1.      Use technology to unlock opportunities for volunteers to participate remotely
2.      Offer short term roles alongside opportunities for ongoing ones
3.      Provide more flexibility

Along with other not-for-profit organisations, we’re listening and adapting to the changing needs of volunteers. We all have an opportunity to re-engage communities and inspire a new generation of volunteers, because where would Australian communities be without them?

So, as we mark National Volunteer Week, we’re working with others to ensure volunteering thrives into the future. But right now, we’re celebrating our valued volunteers for their incredible contribution and impact across the nation. Thank you to our volunteers!