Vinnies retail shops in the Western Australia are in desperate need of volunteers. Do you have spare time to make a difference while you meet new people?
“Vinnies is an organisation powered by volunteers – they are at the core of our work,” May Bowden, Manager Volunteer Services at Vinnies WA, said.
“Without volunteers, Vinnies could not support over 55,000 Western Australians every year with food, clothing, emergency accommodation, financial and mental health support services.
“There is so much to love about volunteering with Vinnies. Our volunteers tell us that they love working as part of a team, making new friends and gaining valuable experience, including delivering customer service, sorting donations, working at point-of-sale, learning how to do merchandising and how to create displays,” she said.
Just by working a few hours a week, shop volunteers make a big difference in the community. They help keep Vinnies shops open, providing a crucial source of funding for Vinnies programs and services.
“Most people help out for four hours at a time, but there’s flexibility to suit each volunteer’s availability, including shifts available on weekends,” Ms Bowden explained.
Any potential volunteers can be assured that Vinnies is focused on providing a COVID-safe environment for everyone, an important concern for many West Australians.
Vinnies’ call for new volunteers comes at a critical time. According to the latest data from Vinnies WA, increases in the cost of living are forcing many WA families to go hungry as they struggle to make ends meet. At the same time, the number of people experiencing homelessness is also increasing.
The revenue raised from its shops ensures Vinnies has enough funds to help as many West Australians in need as possible.
People interested in joining Vinnies retail team as a shop volunteer can visit www.vinnieswa.org.au/volunteer, email volunteer@svdpwa.org.au, call 6323 7576 or head in-store to chat with a friendly Vinnies WA retail team member.
In addition to providing emergency relief and support, Vinnies runs a range of specialised services and programs in the areas housing and homelessness, mental health and financial counselling.
