Volunteering is a fundamental part of Aussie culture. It's no doubt that our easy-going and compassionate nature contributed to Australia ranking 4th in the world on the World Giving Index.
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You've most likely done some form of volunteering before. Whether it's dropping items off at the Salvos or offering to do groceries for your elderly neighbour, volunteering is helpful no matter how small the gesture. According to the 2016 census, 3.6 million Australians, or 19 per cent of the population aged 15 years and over, engage in some form of voluntary work.
Of these volunteers, 668,000 are aged over 65, often volunteering their time to charities, community groups and organisations. IRT is lucky to have many volunteers across NSW, QLD and the ACT, offering a friendly face for residents and a helping hand to staff.
Our volunteers range in age from 3 years old to 94. Last year, nearly 850 volunteers engaged with Age Matters, an IRT social impact initiative, to help improve the lives of the more than 9,100 older people living in our aged care centres, retirement villages or those receiving care in their own home.
Sadly the ability of these volunteers to carry out their valuable work has been significantly hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most of our volunteers work in our residential aged care centres which have had strict visiting rules in place for several weeks to protect residents who are at high risk of contracting the virus. What's more, the majority of our volunteers are aged over 70 putting them also in the high risk category.
Overall, Australia's volunteering force has lost up to 20 percent of its volunteers since social distancing rules and other government legislation came into effect in late March to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Many Australian charities have come under strain from pressures caused by the restrictions. Many not for profit organisations and charities have seen a reduction in the availability of their regular volunteers.
Some have also experienced a sharp decrease in revenue streams as traditional fundraising events have been cancelled and their op shops closed.
While some of the restrictions that triggered these losses are starting to be eased this weekend, people over 70 and those with pre-existing health conditions are still at high risk. Until there is a vaccine, they will continue to be at high risk.
Fortunately, there has been an influx of community kindness in response to this crisis, with groups of people across the country offering support for one another in new and creative ways.
Community-based initiatives such as the Illawarra Kindness Pandemic have been created by everyday people looking to lend a helping hand to their community in these extraordinary times. These initiatives offer much-needed community spirit and help to those in need.
A Friendly Assistance Volunteer program also launched by Age Matters is providing much needed support for vulnerable older people in our community.
Friendly Assistance Volunteers are matched with vulnerable older people in the Illawarra who are self-isolating. The volunteer arranges a weekly phone call for a social chat and to check in about anything they might need.
Throwing someone a lifeline to meaningful social connection can be as simple as that. Gay Harris, who is a regular volunteer at IRT Woolwich and winner of this year's Hunter's Hill Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award, understands the positive power of volunteering.
Before the pandemic Gay would dedicate 3-4 half days per week visiting our aged care centre residents, taking them shopping and organising exciting outings.
Physical distancing and aged care centre visiting rules however have forced her to get creative with her volunteering interactions and initiatives.
Gay says she's been keeping in contact with residents through texts that she hopes will brighten their day. She often sends photos of rainbows, bears in her neighbour's windows, or photos of her as a child.
Fortunately, there has been an influx of community kindness in response to this crisis, with groups of people across the country offering support for one another in new and creative ways.
Gay's top tips for dealing with her own self-isolation have been to keep active, stay busy and motivated and to think of other people. That's what she says is key to making the best out of a bad situation.
There's a huge need for volunteering right now and Gay's advice for people interested in volunteering is simple: We need to think about and support one another.
Help anybody you can to have a full and meaningful life. I wholeheartedly agree. This is the essence of volunteering whether there is or isn't a socially isolating pandemic.
So what can you do to help? Volunteering now, more than ever, is vital. As older volunteers are asked to continue to distance themselves physically more of us than ever before need to dig in and help out members of the community wherever we can.
A good place to start is searching for programs in your local area which are looking for volunteers. The Red Cross, Foodbank Australia and Meals on Wheels are all great places to volunteer. You could also sign up to become a Friendly Assistance Volunteer with Age Matters: https://tinyurl.com/FriendlyAssistance
National Volunteer Week starts on Monday. The theme is Changing Communities. Changing Lives. There's never been a better time to get involved.
Patrick Reid is the CEO of the IRT Group.
