Annual Report 2025
Driven By Care
Our 2025 annual report embraces the theme “Driven by Care”, a reflection of the values that guide everything we do here.
The cover design brings this theme to life through a series of flowing, flexible lines symbolising the people, services, and dailywork that keep our organisation moving forward. The upward-pointing arrows represent progress, purpose, and the shared drive that unites us.
Together, these lines form the organisation’s nervous system — a visual metaphor for how every part of South Port Day Links is connected and working in harmony.
At the heart of this system are our volunteers, the true heartbeat of our organisation. Without their time, care, and commitment, the network that supports our community simply couldn’t function.
Volunteering isn’t just something they do; it’s part of who they are. Together combined, the extraordinary commitment to helping others truly reflects what it means to be Driven by Care.
South Port Day Links (SPDL) is a local, volunteer-powered not-for-profit that has been part of the Port Phillip community for more than 36 years. Over that time, we’ve supported older residents, people with disabilities, and their carers with services that make daily life easier and more connected.
Our Vision: is for a compassionate community where older and vulnerable people, and others in need receive genuine, respectful and accessible support.
Our Mission is simple: to improve the lives of older people and those with a disability by providing a range of community transport and support programs to aid independence. We do this through a range of programs designed to meet different needs,
DayLinks – transport to appointments and activities.
GardenMates – helping with light gardening.
PetMates – assisting with pet care.
WalkMates – companionship through walks.
Links Lunch – bringing people together for a meal.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
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DayLinks
DayLinks Volunteer Drivers help by providing a door-to-door transport service with SPDL vehicles on weekdays, within the City of Port Phillip and City of Melbourne.
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GardenMates
GardenMates Volunteers help by visiting a client on a regular or occasional basis and assisting them with light gardening activities to maintain and enhance their garden.
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PetMates
PetMates Volunteers help by visiting a client regularly, usually two times per week and taking their dog for a walk in the local area for up to 30–45 min at a time.
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WalkMates
WalkMates volunteers help by visiting a client regularly, usually weekly and accompanying them on a leisurely walk in the local area for up to an hour once a week.
We need volunteers for our GardenMates program.
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Encourage clients to assist you with light gardening tasks, such as weeding, planting, or pruning plants and shrubs (no mowing or use of power tools required).
Provide companionship and a friendly, courteous service to clients.
Notify the Volunteer Program Coordinator (VPC) of the start and finish time for each visit on the day and report your hours every month.
Advise the VPC of any variation or change in arrangements.
Report any concerns, inappropriate behaviour or incident immediately to the VPC.
Comply with SPDL Policies and Procedures.
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Experience or interest in gardening.
Experience or enthusiasm in encouraging others to be active.
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Click here for more information on our GardenMates program.
Love the outdoors?
Enjoy helping others?
Join our volunteer gardening team and turn neglected gardens into beautiful spaces—while brightening someone’s day.
No green thumb needed
—just a willingness to help!
“I have the pleasure of supporting my client, who is a lady of Greek heritage, and introduced me to a new variety of herbs and plants. She is very independent, but at 80+ there are some things she can no longer lift, move or replant. She is so grateful and forever thanking me it makes every visit a joy”.”
— Julie, GardenMates volunteer
SPDL Programs
SPDL programs are designed to help older people with a disability and the people that care for them. Our programs include Daylinks, GardenMates, WalkMates and PetMates.
DayLinks volunteer, Robert, with one of our valued clients.
CLIENTS:
HOW SPDL CAN HELP YOU
SPDL programs help our clients stay engaged with their community and maintain their independence at home.
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Door to door community transport program that provides flexible transport to older residents or those with a disability, together along with their carers.
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Assist residents with the care of animals at home with grooming, dog walking and visits to the vet.
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To support residents who need encouragement and company to go for a walk to maintain their physical fitness.
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The service provides light gardening and does not provide lawn mowing, rubbish removal or tree pruning.
Interested in Daylinks?
Download the Transport Client Information Booklet to find out more about our door-to-door community transport service.
DONORS & FUNDING
THE LIFE SOURCE OF SPDL
Donations, funding, fundraising and grants from individuals, businesses and government, are the sources that keep the heart of the organization beating.
Funding providers
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Australian Government
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
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Victorian Government
Department of Transport and Planning
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing -
City of Port Phillip