Volunteering focused on adapting to the challenging circumstances presented by coronavirus – finding new ways to support Chorus volunteers so they could continue to have a sense of connection and purpose, as well as adapting the way we provide services typically delivered by volunteers.
Based on public health advice, older and more vulnerable volunteers were stood down from duties during COVID-19. This provided an opportunity to adapt our services and support through the lens of volunteers being more than just a resource.
Some of the ways we adapted at Chorus included BeConnected volunteers supporting the Ring Ring program in Mandurah – a phone group designed to keep seniors social during the pandemic. Volunteer Drivers and Social Centre volunteers provided support to Chorus Kitchen by assisting in Meals on Wheels delivery. Work also commenced on a project that allows volunteers to call each other with the intention of promoting social connection and wellbeing during this time.
We saw a new demographic of people wanting to help others in their community due to being out of work and higher skilled people wanting to give back during this period. There was special interest in the COVID-19 Meals on Wheels campaign ‘Nutrition for Body and Soul’, which saw the largest increase of volunteers with over 100 volunteer enquires.
For many, volunteering at Chorus is a gateway to future employment and it is not uncommon to see Chorus volunteers become staff members.
Shawn completed several courses to up-skill himself, yet was still struggling to get a start in employment.
He began to work with Chorus Disability Employment Services consultant Nikkita who discovered Shawn’s passion for gardening. She suggested he try volunteering to build his skills and overcome new job anxiety. Working quickly to train Shawn, the Gardening and Home Maintenance team set him up with a mentor to help him develop his skills and knowledge.
Five months of volunteering later, Shawn became a paid staff member at Chorus. He continues to spread words of encouragement to other job seekers at the Chorus Rockingham job club.
Chorus is supported by many educational institutions – schools such as Santa Maria College, WA universities, and TAFE.
In September 2019, Maria from the Chorus Volunteering team and Lee from Gardening and Home Maintenance had the opportunity to visit a group of student volunteers from North Metropolitan TAFE at their Market Day in Leederville.
“It was great to see them in their element, they showed us their lovely garden and they were great at explaining the work they do and the plants they have. The TAFE students have gained work experience with us and they have grown in skills, confidence and independence from joining Chorus!” said Maria.
It’s truly rewarding to see Chorus volunteers thriving in their studies and in the community.
Chorus volunteer Matias has a special ability to put a smile on anyone’s face and he is also in the WA Special Olympics team for basketball.
Matias participated in the 2019 Special Olympics WA State Games and brought home two shiny medals. He proudly showcased them while volunteering, much to the admiration of the team who helped him celebrate his achievement.
Chorus Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) volunteers Janelle and her dog Bonnie started volunteering with us in April 2019. Together the duo spend their free time visiting Chorus customers. Bonnie will often cuddle up on a customer’s lap or hang out with her doggy friend Izzy when visiting customer Judy.
The benefits of visits from a therapy dog like Bonnie include lowering blood pressure, reducing depression, easing loneliness, and providing comfort. Bonnie does not have any special training other than being comfortable in any environment and having the right temperament to provide love and social connection.
Chorus CVS Coordinator Vivienne said: “Janelle is the most amazing, generous and kind-hearted volunteer who also volunteers as a Chorus Transport driver, as well as having many years’ experience volunteering for Lifeline. The world needs more volunteers like Bonnie and Janelle!”
On International Volunteer Day, Chorus people stopped to say thank you to all the volunteers who have given their time to serve the community.
Chorus volunteers enjoyed a sunny afternoon celebrating International Volunteer Day at Government House, Perth. It is a privilege to work alongside such hard-working, positive people.
In December 2019, Chorus Kitchen organised a raffle amongst staff and volunteers to raise funds for new meal delivery eskies. Thanks to Luke Millard from in2food.au who donated a hamper of fresh fruit and vegetables, and Mondo Doro who gave away a Christmas ham, Chorus Kitchen raised $475.
In addition, the raffle winner’s kindness (Gardening and Home Maintenance volunteer Bob) allowed all the food to be passed onto a family in need. Malcolm, Tina and their family were in financial distress and awaiting assistance, and were overjoyed to receive the donation.
Chorus celebrated National Volunteer Week in May differently this year – an approach that was well received by volunteers across the organisation. We hosted virtual morning teas, mailed 454 ‘Thank You’ packs, and the May edition of our newsletter ‘Chorus Lines’ and the Chorus Voices Podcast were volunteer specials. We also waved a special online smile of appreciation to thank all volunteers who have lent a hand to their community.
Gary has been volunteering as a Chorus transport driver for 10 years, and also drives the shoppers’ bus. During COVID-19, Gary quickly realised how important it was to reach out and stay connected to customers who were isolated. He took the initiative to regularly call customers who would normally go on the bus just to see how they were doing.
Tom started volunteering at Chorus Ability Arts in 2017 as a way of getting involved with the community through art. He helps with the Pottery Group twice a week and has become so good at using the kiln that he’s been named chief ‘firer’.
Throughout his time at Chorus, Tom has developed great relationships with customers and gets a lot of satisfaction from helping them create their own masterpieces. When the Pottery Group was not running due to coronavirus restrictions, Tom continued volunteering his time by putting together art packs to be sent out to customers’ homes.
Chorus Ability Arts staff are very fond of Tom, and shared that he “is always happy”, “willing to help”, and “always has a multi-tool on him, almost like MacGyver”.
Volunteer Jenene (pictured left, with Community Connections Team Lead Paula) is celebrating 30 years of volunteering with Chorus (previously Community First) in 2020.
Jenene moved to Medina in 1990, saw a call out for volunteers at Community First and thought it would be a good way to get to know the area. She initially volunteered as a driver and offered social support. Now, she helps with the administration at Chorus Kwinana while remaining a true example of community spirit.
Jenene is always happy to have a coffee and a chat to the delight of staff, volunteers and customers, and has made many friends along the way. What keeps her coming back? “The staff, the atmosphere… there’s time to work and there’s time to have a bit of a laugh.”
Student volunteers always bring about a fresh and vibrant approach to volunteering with us.
Lots of Chorus volunteers had to take a break during COVID-19 because of the risks involved with being out in the community. To show them how much they were missed and appreciated, student volunteers from Santa Maria College participated in a ‘Make the day of a volunteer’ challenge by creating personalised boxes for volunteers self-isolating at home.
Each box was filled with special items to show appreciation for the great work volunteers do, along with a personal note letting them know they had not been forgotten. The students completed this challenge from home, a perfect example of ‘microvolunteering’
Volunteer Tony keeps busy driving school students to gardening jobs, as well as working as an activity and driving assistant at the Chorus Bull Creek Activity Centre.
Tony also loves gardening and even helped set up a garden for customers at Piney Lakes Community Garden. He tends to the garden himself, looking after all the beautiful produce, which is often gifted to visiting Chorus customers.
Even after all that, Tony is always happy to do more where he can. During coronavirus, Tony lent his green thumb to the Chorus Carlisle and North Perth gardening teams, helping them keep customers’ gardens well-looked after and safe during the health crisis.
Throughout COVID-19, Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) volunteers continued to stay in touch with customers. In fact, many doubled their efforts and even offered a hand in other areas of volunteering at Chorus.
CVS volunteer Janelle and service dog Bonnie are also a hit among customers. They began calling people twice a week and volunteered more time than usual with Lifeline WA. Volunteer Patricia has also kept others connected and helped at Chorus Kitchen with the Meals on Wheels program. Kathy also increased contact with customers and was more engaged in her role than ever.
Louise Forster was interviewed by Jenny Seaton on Curtin Radio on 6 December.
Louise talked about the Chorus and Curtin University collaboration on ‘The Volunteering Trends Research Report’ that was released in May 2019. She promoted Chorus services and volunteering and also talked about our Inter-generational Day Care program.
