Many opportunities are available within wide areas of Council services. In fact, most of these programs depend on volunteers and the valuable time, effort and skills they contribute.
Below is a snapshot of the volunteering opportunities available through Council. For further information contact Council's Volunteer Coordinator on 9742 0812.
DELIVERED MEALS (FORMERLY MEALS ON WHEELS)
This program aims to provide nutritious and culturally appropriate meals to residents who are frail and aged and who may have a disability. Volunteers are the backbone of this service by doing tasks such as delivering meals, assisting clients to fill in menu plans, collecting payment for meals and issuing receipts, monitoring the welfare of residents and communicating messages back to the Delivered Meals Coordinator.
LUNCH WITH THE BUNCH
This program provides social contact for frail and elderly people who are isolated. Groups meet on a regular basis for a two course lunch at a local venue. Volunteers provide transport - either in a Council car or their own car - and eat lunch with the residents, assisting them when necessary.
OCCASIONAL BUS TRIPS
Occasional bus trips are run and supported by volunteers. Special day trips are organised throughout the year with the focus being on a social lunch and an opportunity for social interaction.
BUS JOCKEY
The Community Transport service provides a door to door transport for frail, elderly and disabled people to participate in programs and activities. A volunteer bus jockey provides an opportunity for social interaction as well as assistance to clients when boarding and departing the community coach. There are also opportunities to accompany clients on day trips to assist with their mobility and personal needs.
WESTBAY CONNECT 121 TRANSPORT PROGRAM
The Westbay Connect 121 Transport Program provides transport to eligible residents to attend medical appointments, go shopping or attend social events. All Volunteers are trained and provided with a range of appropriate resources and support. All volunteers are reimbursed for out of pocket expenses, including petrol.
BREAKAWAY (DISABILITY)
This program provides a quality respite to carers of children and young people with disabilities. Volunteers assist in providing a safe and fun environment for participants to interact and develop social skills.
PLANNED ACTIVITY GROUP (FORMERLY ADASS)
This program provides social support for frail elderly people. Clients are brought to the Centre by bus and stay with staff and volunteers for lunch and activities. Volunteers can assist in a variety of ways including reading or telling stories, playing music or facilitating singalongs, assisting with craft activities and outings, and writing newsletters for client based activities. A dementia specific program caters to the needs of clients with advanced memory loss. The focus of the program is to provide a relaxed, social environment while providing support and respite for carers and/or family members. Trained staff coordinate all activities.
KINDERGARTEN SUPPORT
This program provides support to kindergarten staff to enhance the program offered to the children and their families. The volunteer will work with children of various skills, abilities, interest levels and personalities.
OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE CENTRE
This program provides a safe, caring and learning environment for pre-school children for short periods of time while their parents need time out to attend appointments, shop or study. Volunteers are required to provide support to the Occasional Child Care staff.
WERRIBEE CBD /HOPPERS CROSSING HEATHS RD LIBRARIES
The libraries use volunteers in a number of ways, including shelving, covering books, folding notices, replacing barcodes on books and stamping withdrawn books.
HOUSEBOUND LIBRARY SERVICE
This service involves the volunteers choosing, delivering and returning books for residents who are not able to come to the library themselves. The hours volunteers can work are between 9am and 5pm and can be for as long or short a period of time as they wish.
INTERNET CAFE
This is a new program focusing on using computer technology to assist residents with the management of their daily living tasks such as shopping and banking, as well as assisting with email and information/research. Volunteers are trained to provide supported internet access for residents and to assist residents to develop their own computer/ internet skills.
WERRIBEE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
The Werribee Visitor Information Centre is located in the Wyndham Cultural Centre. Volunteer activities include such duties as welcoming visitors, providing information on Werribee and surrounds both over the counter and by telephone and email, ensuring brochures are maintained, sending out mail, keeping the list of events up to date, and assisting with administrative tasks such as faxing and mailouts.
FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER FOR 12 - 17 YEARS
This program provides young people with a variety of activities such as watching a video and playing video games, pool, fuss ball and table tennis. The main responsibilities of volunteers on this program is to assist the Youth Development Workers with activities, assist with setting up and packing away program equipment, and interacting with the young people.
HOLIDAY ACTION
The Holiday Action Program is a two week holiday Program for 12 - 15 years olds. The program is excursion based offering fun trips to a variety of venues. Volunteers assist the Youth Development Workers with activities and interact with young people.
SPECIAL YOUTH EVENTS
At various times throughout the year, Youth Services organise special events for young people and families, including youth forums, information nights and activities during major events such as National Youth Week, Weerama and the Career Expo. Volunteer duties may include providing administration assistance for the Youth Development Officers, assisting with setting up and packing away of equipment and interacting with young people.
WEEKLY YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR 12-17 YEAR OLDS
The weekly youth support programs provides young people with an opportunity to participate in a variety of recreational, creative, cultural and personal development activities in a fun, friendly and supportive environment. These programs operate on a weekly basis during the school term, from a variety of venues across the municipality. The main responsibilities of a volunteer is to assist the Youth Development Workers with facilitating activities, assisting with setting up and packing away program equipment and interacting with the young people.
YOUTH ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS
Council holds events for young people including Battle Of The Bands, Static Dance Party and a Junior Dance Party. Responsibilities of volunteers may vary depending upon which event is on, however duties may include providing administrative assistance to the Youth Development Officers, assisting with setting up and packing away of equipment and interacting with young people.