While Brisbane is abundant in riverside mansions, designer shopping strips, and swanky restaurants that will cost you an arm and a leg for dinner, it’s also peppered with pockets of benevolence countering the high-flying glitz. But it can be a daunting task to scout out these hopeful beacons and investigate how your spare time might best be put to use helping those who need it most.
To help propel you into philanthropic action, we’ve laid out the details of a few fabulous charities and community groups driving positive change around the city and the country. Whether you’re looking to join a one-off working bee or make a weekly commitment, here’s how you can volunteer in Brisbane.
Baby Give Back
What do they do?
The fantastic team at Baby Give Back are dedicated to helping vulnerable babies, children and families. Collecting donations like clothing, toys, books, furniture and essential items, this Queensland charity is passionate about giving children a safe, equal start at life by supporting families who are disadvantaged. Baby Give Back has expanded from a backyard garage to two warehouses in Varsity Lakes and Sumner. The team works with social workers and caseworkers to create customised packages for families in need.
How can you help?
There are multiple ways you can volunteer at one of the warehouses like greeting donors and social workers, cleaning and safety checking donations, sorting donations and orders, and putting together packs for families.
What do you need to commit to?
If you are keen to get started, register your interest first or visit one of the warehouses to see what they do. Volunteer shifts run every weekday from 9am until 4pm, but you do not need to stay the whole day. The Varsity Lakes warehouse is also open on Tuesdays from 5.30pm-7.30pm.
FareShare
What do they do?
Fareshare’s vision is that everyone should have access to nutritious meals. To do this, the team rescues surplus, quality food which helps reduce waste in landfills. The food is then transformed into delicious, nutrient dense meals which are frozen and distributed to charities, community organisations and others who ensure they reach those who need them the most, from homeless people to those affected by natural disasters.
How can you help?
First, register your interest on their website; Fareshare is looking for regular and corporate volunteers to help in their kitchens. In Brisbane, help is needed in the kitchens, in the warehouses, and in the offices.
What do you need to commit to?
For the kitchen located in Morningside, you can choose to volunteer on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Shifts are run morning and afternoon and typically last for three hours per shift. A tea break will be provided as well. For warehouse volunteers, you'll need to be fit enought to handle weights of 12kg as you'll be dealing with stock rotations. As for office administration, volunteers must enjoy interacting with other people, while also having IT skills and experience with Microsoft Office. These shifts last three to four hours.
State Emergency Service
What do they do?
The SES performs a number of vital functions to respond to local, state, and national emergencies. With over 5100 volunteers, the SES volunteer program is a great way to contribute to and gain skills in emergency and rescue. The SES aims to empower people to learn how they can help themselves and others in crises.
How can you help?
If you are an enthusiastic, proactive, driven individual keen to make a difference to the Queensland community, as an SES volunteer, you will activate in various disaster and emergency situations including floods, fires, cliff rescues, transportation incidents, searches for missing persons and other critical situations. You will also learn vital skills that will assist in these emergency situations including chainsaw operations, flood boat operations, road crash rescue, and land search.
What do you need to commit to?
The process for starting up at the SES is a bit more complicated. You need to be at least 16 years old, and will need to apply for a blue card before you do anything. To register your interest, contact your local area’s office. Over 18 year olds will be required to then undergo a criminal and background check. You will be required to be at an appropriate fitness level for the volunteer role. And of course, enthusiasm, a willing to participate, and a passion for helping others will get you a long way in this role.
If you are selected, you will be asked to attend an initiation and training session where you will be provided with the necessary knowledge to participate in the role, and protective clothing and gear. Volunteers will be trained consistently throughout their time in the SES in first aid, emergency operations management, storm damage response and plenty more.
Oz Harvest
What do they do?
OzHarvest is Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, saving surplus food from over 3000 donors and giving it to charities striving to help people in need. The organisation started as just a Sydney van in 2004, and has grown to a national charity that has now served over 210 million meals across Australia. OzHarvest aims to halve food waste in Australia by 2030, a worthy goal if we ever heard one.
How can you help?
If you want to be a part of the “yellow army” there are plenty of jobs available. You can work at the OzHarvest markets, pack food hampers and deliveries, assist with the delivery vans, and clean and prep food. The range of tasks available means there is something for everyone.
What do you need to commit to?
Before you chuck on your yellow t-shirt, you will need fill out your application form and attend an Information and Induction Session to learn about the program, the roles available, and more about the organisation.
Successful applicants will need complete an online training session and also provide evidence of a police check, at your own cost. Participants are able to volunteer as little or as often as they would like. Volunteers typically do one to two shifts every week, depending on your own schedule. But do be aware that a large majority of roles occur during business and school hours, with limited availabilities over the weekends. Regardless, every contribution is greatly appreciated.
Orange Sky
What they do?
Way back in 2014, two 20-year-old guys installed a couple of washing machines and dryers in a van and viola, Orange Sky was born. Since then, their one van in Brisbane has evolved into an Australian charity dedicated to aidin Australians in need with a regular laundry and shower service at 36 locations nationwide. The goal is not just to improve hygiene and restore dignity in those doing it tough, but to develop connections through wholesome conversation.
How can you help?
The role of Orange Sky volunteers is to connect with those who are too often ignored or who feel disconnected from the community through genuine, non-judgemental conversations while they wait for their laundry. Though this is your main task, you will also help the operation of the washing machines and showers.
What do you need to commit to?
The process to start volunteering is relatively simple, just sign up on their website and complete the necessary training tasks— keeping in mind that you must be over 18 years old to do so. Once that’s completed you will be able to sign up for volunteer shifts. The team asks that you make a six-month commitment to a regular shift once a fortnight; this will help you build a connection with friends during your time volunteering. Volunteers must also be able to comply with, or obtain, any relevant checks or licences that may be required. You should also be able to carry items weighing around 15-20kg.
Food Bank
What do they do?
Collecting a huge 70% of all the surplus food rescued across Australia, it is fair to say that Foodbank plays a vital role in the mission to limit food waste. As one of the largest food relief organisations in the nation, Food Bank works to save food and deliver it to charities feeding Australians in need. Working 2950 charities and 2890 school breakfast programs, the vision is that everyone should have access to quality, nutritious meals.
How can you help?
Foodbank order packer roles are currently available with 100 new volunteer positions starting in October 2022. This role includes packing orders, moving product, light box lifting, and pallet jack use. Other volunteer shifts may include administration, customer service, and warehouse work.
What do you need to commit to?
Food packer shifts will typically be run from 7am to 3pm Monday to Friday. The team asks for a minimum three month commitment to the role, with at least one four-hour shift weekly. You must also be at least 18 years of age to volunteer.
RSPCA
What do they do?
The rescue and care of displaced, sick, and injured animals is RSPCA’s mission. As Queensland’s leading animal welfare charity, the vision is to improve the lives of furry friends all across the state and give them a second chance. The charity cares for 47,000 animals every year, but this couldn’t be done without the generous help from volunteers. RSPCA help the sick, care for wildlife and domestic animals, find homes, and share knowledge on how to promote welfare and protection.
How can you help?
With over 5,500 volunteers spanning across varied roles in care, administration, retail, community outreach and plenty more, you can currently get involved in the op shops as a retail assistant, an animal care assistant, or an admin assistant.
What do you need to commit to?
For most of the volunteer roles listed, RSPCA asks for a minimum three-month commitment. You will have a regular shift every week which will typically last for four hours. As for retail volunteers, you must by physically fit and able to safely lift 10kg.
Anglicare
What do they do?
For most residents in nursing homes, they are fortunate to get regular visits from family and friends. However, some are unable to see their loved ones and can feel alone or isolated in their homes. The Anglicare Community Visitors Scheme, seeks volunteers to provide company to these residents. There is also a new opportunity to become a Anglicare Volunteer.
How can you help?
Community visitors will visit a resident every week to have a light-hearted chat, participate in one of their hobbies, watch a show together, and overall, provide wholesome company. For Anglicare Volunteers, you must contact Anglicare directly to inquire about the broader opportunities available.
What do you need to commit to?
To start the application process first fill out an enquiry form on the website to register your interest with a nearby Anglicare home. Anglicare Community Visitors must be over 18 and will typically set aside 30 minutes per week to pay a friendly visit to an aged-care resident. Before volunteering, you’ll need to do a police check, complete the training modules, and workbook to complete your initiation. As for Anglicare Volunteers, there are no set responsibilies. However, Anglicare does ask you register your interests so they can assign you to an opportunity that aligns with them.
AWLQ
What do they do?
For over 60 years Animal Welfare League Queensland has been caring for animals who are in need and providing them with a more enriching, quality life. Their mission is to raise the value of animals in society, so that their needs are kept up to standard. If you are a keen animal lover, then this is the perfect volunteer experience for you.
How can you help?
Without the strong team of volunteers, AWLQ would not be able to save 10,000 animals every year. These volunteers contribute to a range of areas including running the op-shops, caring for animals, collecting donations, and managing laundry.
What do you need to commit to?
Volunteers are required to commit to a minimum of three months in their role. Your shift will be the same every week and will run for four hours. There is also a $35 induction fee to cover the cost of your training, resources, and volunteer shirt.
Meanwhile, check out these First Nations creatives spearheading serious change.