Volunteering ACT

Looking for an exciting volunteering opportunity with us? Become a volunteer mentor! 😍

As a volunteer mentor, you will be introduced to and matched with a participant of the Inclusive Volunteering Pathways to Employment Program using a person-centred approach.

You will assist by helping a participant build confidence and develop new skills within their volunteer role as they work towards their set goals. Their goals may be learning-specific tasks, comfortably interacting with new people, or gaining vital experience in a work environment. For some participants, showing up for a regular shift is an achievement.

Click on the link below to learn more about the role and apply.👇
🔗 https://volunteeringact.org.au/become-a-volunteer-mentor/

Our office and the Community Information Hub are both closed today Monday, 22 June 2026 due to exceptional circumstances.

We will reopen the Community Info Hub at 10am Tuesday 23 June 2026.

Thank you for your understanding.

Volunteer spotlight 😍

David has been an avid volunteer for nearly a decade. He started his volunteer journey after retiring in 2017, first with Safe Shelter, then with Radio1RPH and Orange Sky during COVID.

Orange Sky won the lucky draw at our 2026 Volunteering Expo in March. The prize for Expo exhibitors was complimentary tickets to the National Film and Sound Archive’s special screening of the Australian crime comedy Malcolm to mark 40 years since its release. David was pleased to receive the tickets from Orange Sky as he saw the film when it first came out in 1986.

At the screening, David recorded the film’s theme music performed by the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Ensemble and an interview with the Malcolm’s writer/producer David Parker and director Nadia Tass for a Radio1RPH arts program.

Volunteering with Orange Sky has been a very rewarding experience for David.

"The times spent huddled in an Orange Sky hoodie in the chill breeze of Gungahlin Place were made more rewarding when Jay*, one of our friends, experiencing homelessness, told us the chats she has with our crew are pretty much her only conversation she has each week, it is the highlight of my week."

"Volunteering allows me to contribute to a number of special needs communities. Orange Sky vans do three x two hour shifts a day, seven days a week, and we have a pod that offers washing and chats at Ainslie Village three times a week. It can be challenging at times, but the rewards come from the camaraderie of the volunteer team and the friends we meet on shift."

We thank the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia for their support and engagement with the diverse Canberra volunteering community.

Further information about Orange Sky is available on: orangesky.org.au

*Name used with permission

Radio 1RPH Orange Sky Australia NFSA - National Film and Sound Archive of Australia

Today is World Refugee Day 💙

Our communities are stronger and vibrant because of the many cultures, languages, and stories that shape us.

VolunteeringACT is an organisation that lives and breathes its values. These include inclusion and diversity where we welcome and involve people from all experiences and backgrounds.

We stand proudly with our stakeholders, staff and volunteers who each contribute to a more inclusive Canberra that values volunteering and connection.

Some ways to support volunteers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are:
💚 Use plain language and swap jargon and acronyms for everyday words.
💚 Provide information in multiple ways, such as Easy Read guides, captioned videos, or audio files.
💚 Attend/provide cross-cultural awareness training to staff and volunteers.
💚 Don’t assume all cultures or experiences are the same.

We can help make your volunteer programs more inclusive, accessible, and aligned to the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.

Contact us for a friendly discussion on 02 6251 4060 or [email protected]

In October 2026, the Australian Government is launching AusAlert – a new national warning system that uses the latest technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices.

Before it launches, the system is being tested in selected communities across Australia.

On Sunday, 21 June 2026, around 2pm, residents of Queanbeyan, New South Wales may receive a test alert on mobile phones.

It is advised to keep the mobile phone software up to date to receive AusAlerts. ✅

The AusAlert test message will cause the mobile phone to vibrate and make a loud siren-like warning sound that lasts about 10 seconds. The message will clearly state it is a test. No action is required from residents.

Find more information about AusAlert, visit: https://www.ausalert.gov.au/

🔙 This Throwback Thursday, we are taking a trip down memory lane and sharing some photos of the ACT Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). 📸

Founded in 1978, the ACT Citizens Advice Bureau supported the Canberra community as a referral service provider. In 2014, it was rebranded to the Community Information Hub which is now run by VolunteeringACT.

While the referral service continues to be the core operation of the Hub, there are other services available as well for the community, such as:

📚Free information guides on free meals, short stay accommodation, op-shops, legal aid and much more

👴👵 Free digital/computer skills sessions for Australians aged 50+

💰 Free tax help (July – October)

💻 Free telephone and computer access

Did you ever visit the ACT Citizens Advice Bureau? Share your stories and memories with us in the comments!

If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts, email us at [email protected].

Celebrating neurodiversity in volunteering!

People think, communicate, and experience the world in different ways. Inclusive volunteering is about creating environments where all volunteers can contribute in ways that work for them.

Below are some ways for volunteer managers to support neurodiverse and all volunteers.

✅️ Clear and flexible communication: Check with volunteers about their preferred communication method and offer information in different formats, such as written steps, checklists or visual guides.

✅️ Match roles to strengths: Take the time to understand what volunteers enjoy and where their skills shine. This leads to more meaningful and effective volunteer engagement.

✅️ Be open and adaptable: A willingness to listen and adjust supports a positive experience for all volunteers.

✅️ Foster a welcoming culture: Use inclusive, plain language when communicating, encourage respect across teams, and invest in ongoing learning and awareness within the team.

Neurodiverse volunteers contribute insight, creativity, and dedication across all areas of volunteering. Recognising and valuing these contributions builds stronger, sustainable, and more connected communities. 💚

Contact us to make your volunteer programs more inclusive and accessible by calling 02 6251 4060, or emailing us at [email protected]

It’s refugee week.

We are sharing more words from Kent, as he’s worked closely with so many refugees. This is what he said...

‘Working with refugees has taught me about resilience.

I’m a volunteer at the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Service. I’ve been helping there since I retired in 2009.

In Australia we live in a very prosperous world. It’s an organised, safe, environment for most, and we don’t appreciate just how well off we really are.

I've learnt to understand how tough life can be for a lot of people who have come from dreadful circumstances. Many have suffered terrible discrimination and danger before coming here.

Refugees have a lot of experiences, knowledge, and different cultures that can enrich your life. And all of these people coming to Canberra want to contribute in some way, shape, or form. We should give them the opportunity!

I welcome refugees. We have a lot to learn from them.’



[Image description: A man with white hair clasps his hands on the desk before him and smiles warmly at the camera. He's in an office with another desk and a door behind him and some white tulips and a laptop are at the edge of frame.]

Looking for an exciting volunteering opportunity with us? Become a volunteer mentor! 😍

As a volunteer mentor, you will be introduced to and matched with a participant of the Inclusive Volunteering Pathways to Employment Program using a person-centred approach.

You will assist by helping a participant build confidence and develop new skills within their volunteer role as they work towards their set goals. Their goals may be learning-specific tasks, comfortably interacting with new people, or gaining vital experience in a work environment. For some participants, showing up for a regular shift is an achievement. 💜

Click on the link below to learn more about the role and apply.👇
🔗 https://volunteeringact.org.au/become-a-volunteer-mentor/

We’re excited to announce our upcoming workshops and training sessions designed to build your confidence and skills in volunteer management. 💪

Upcoming sessions -

📆 18 June: Cyber security risk management for non technical leaders webinar
📆 24 June: National Standards for Volunteer Involvement workshop
📆 25 June: Inclusive volunteering for organisations workshop

👉️ Learn more and register - https://volunteeringact.org.au/services/training-opportunities/

Don’t miss out on these opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with peers in the community.

⌛️ Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure your spot today!

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Do share this post with your friends and colleagues.

To organise a tailored training session, please contact us at [email protected] or call us on 02 6251 4060.