General News
19 May, 2024
Volunteers Week: Our heartbeat and lifeblood
VOLUNTEERS are the heartbeat and lifeblood of Loddon communities. Residents supporting each other to keep local organisations vibrant and showcasing the uniqueness of their towns. From sporting organisations to important and valued volunteer roles...
VOLUNTEERS are the heartbeat and lifeblood of Loddon communities.
Residents supporting each other to keep local organisations vibrant and showcasing the uniqueness of their towns.
From sporting organisations to important and valued volunteer roles at Boort District Health and Inglewood and District Health Services, they give freely of their time.
Loddon Shire Council’s volunteer strategy recognises that volunteers are the backbone behind communities.
Volunteers provide vital support for the delivery of a number of services, activities, projects, programs and key community assets.
The strategy recognises that volunteering builds the capacity of community members and promotes community connectedness, social inclusion and active citizenship.
When the strategy was developed two years ago, there was no shortage of volunteers to share their experiences. More than 300 community members confirmed the personal benefits of volunteering as well as the benefits for the community as a whole.
Those community conversations also highlighted the changing nature of volunteering in the Loddon Shire and the growing importance of flexible approaches to volunteering.
Making room for and supporting the next generation of volunteers to step up was viewed by the community as crucial for the future of volunteering in the Loddon Shire. Being open to new ways of attracting and supporting younger volunteers and making volunteering easier are essential in this.
The Loddon Shire Council Volunteer Strategy 2022-2026 captures council’s vision and approach to supporting and growing community volunteering across the Shire. It highlights the crucial role volunteers play in the community and aims to build and maintain a vibrant and sustainable culture of volunteering.
And in National Volunteer Week 2024, the theme of Something for Everyone reflects the opportunities for residents to be involved in the life of their local Loddon communities.
National Volunteer Week 2024 next week will recognise the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to the act of volunteering.
It’s an invitation to explore the myriad of opportunities available, emphasising that there’s a place for everyone in the world of volunteering. Whether you’re drawn to community outreach, education, or beyond, there’s a place where your unique skills and interests can flourish.
Let’s come together during National Volunteer Week, embracing this theme to showcase the vast spectrum of possibilities and the transformative impact that emerges when everyone finds their meaningful role in making a difference.