Why Volunteer with SPDL?

You can make a positive contribution to social inclusion, by supporting older people and people with a disability and those who care for them, to remain connected to their community.

  • Provides you with the opportunity to connect, meet new people from different backgrounds and build a stronger sense of community understanding.

  • Expand your personal skills, experience and knowledge.

  • Give back to your community at a local level in a way that makes a hands-on difference to people's lives.

  • Improve your personal outlook as research indicates people who volunteer are happier and healthier in being able to make a real difference.

SPDL Volunteers Make a Difference

SPDL volunteers make a real difference to people’s lives by providing support to individuals to remain independent and connected to their community through the various services SPDL provides to the residents in the City of Port Phillip.

Reducing the personal sense of social isolation for older people and people with a disability, which has been demonstrated to cause people to lose their sense of confidence, reducing their physical mobility and personal sense of wellbeing.

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DayLinks Volunteer Drivers

DayLinks Volunteer Drivers provide a local door to door transport to our clients who reside within the City of Port Phillip, using an SPDL standard motor vehicle. Volunteers are required:

  • to be available a minimum of one half-day, weekly or fortnightly on weekdays from 8.30am to 4.30pm

  • to have a current Victorian Driver' Licence (all applicants will undergo a driving assessment)

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GardenMates Volunteers

GardenMates volunteers provide support to older people to maintain their gardens, the volunteer is matched with a suitable client, the role is to also encourage the older person to participate in gardening if they are able. Volunteers are required:

  • to be available a couple of hours fortnightly or monthly and maybe weekdays or weekends, as agreed

  • to be fit and able to do light weeding, tidyups and minor pruning

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PetMates Volunteers

PetMates volunteers can undertake dog walking to support an older person who is finding it difficult to care for their pet. The volunteer is matched with the older person and the agreed role and availability are negotiated. Volunteers are required:

  • to be available for one hour or more weekly, and/or weekends as agreed

  • to be fit and able to walk unaided, and be able to collect the dog or animal and to dispose of waste

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WalkMates Volunteers

WalkMates volunteers provide support to older people to gain exercise by being a walking companion, volunteers are matched with the older person, the frequency and level of support required by the volunteer in the role are negotiated.

Reception Volunteers

Reception Volunteers take transport bookings from DayLinks clients and general enquiries. Enter the bookings into our transport booking system and support volunteer drivers while on the road with information to complete their transport shift efficiently. They also help in the office by completing general administration duties. Volunteers are required:

  • to be available a minimum of one half-day, weekly or fortnightly on weekdays from 8.30am to 5.00pm

  • to have good customer service and basic computer skill

Volunteer Application Process

If you would like to express your interest in becoming a volunteer with SPDL please contact us to make an appointment with our Volunteer Program Coordinator, Rimmi Singh.

Phone 9646 6362
Email vpc@spdl.org.au

The Volunteer Program Coordinator will be in contact with you to make a time to meet and discuss your volunteer application. See initial application process below.

Interview
All potential volunteers are required to meet with the Volunteer Program Coordinator to be interviewed to ensure that their skills fit the position description and to explain the requirements of the volunteer role you have applied for.

Police Check
People applying to become a volunteer are asked to provide 2 referees and to undergo a police check. To complete the police check you will need to provide 4 identity and community documents (https://www.crimcheck.org.au/identity-requirements).

Driver Assessment
In the case of the DayLinks interested volunteers need to successfully undertake an independent driver assessment.

Costs
SPDL will cover these costs as a part of the volunteer recruitment and orientation process.