From the 20th to the 26th of May, National Volunteer Week is celebrating with the theme ‘Something for Everyone’, a showcase of how everyone can make a difference.
In 2022, 56.7 per cent of Australians volunteered either formally or informally and whilst 1 in 4 adults seems significant, 83 per cent of volunteer-involving organisations say there’s still more work to be done. So, what does this look like?
Research shows that volunteering for non-profit institutions generated an estimated $17.3 billion in added value to the Australian economy in 2013. Volunteers are also more likely than non-volunteers to have ever provided a service or activity in their local area. By giving back, volunteers cultivate a positive sense of community that benefits all Australians nationwide.
That impact is also represented in participants' own lives, with 82 per cent of volunteers reporting happier lifestyles, compared to 75 per cent of non-volunteers.
Here at The Pyjama Foundation, we’ve seen the possibilities first-hand.
“My Pyjama child had his first experience entering a Public Library and was enthused and amazed by what was available to him. The lovely staff and volunteers really gave him a warm welcome and he grew in confidence,” said Helen, a volunteer mentor on creating new opportunities for the child she was matched with.
“It feels rewarding that Pyjama Angel volunteering is able to give us that extra platform of sharing deep connection,” said Alida, a volunteer mentor of their relationship to their Pyjama child’s family.
These stories highlight the compound effect volunteering can have and how one community member offering their time can create space for others to uplift those in need. The benefits of volunteering go beyond an organisation's goal but reflect in the lives of all the people those services touch.
At The Pyjama Foundation, we have trained 10,583 mentors and counting. With their dedication of over 900,000 hours of support, our organisation has provided children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) opportunities like our Love of Learning or Teen Skills Program.
Not only have we reached 19,035 children and young people searching for guidance, 98 per cent of our volunteer mentors reported a positive relationship with the child they supported highlighting the joy giving back can provide.
“I feel blessed to have been placed with my Pyjama child. We really have created a special bond in a short time… I can’t imagine not being her Pyjama Angel,” said Bonnie, a volunteer mentor of their experience volunteering.
Since the Foundation was established in 2004, the number of children in care in Australia has more than doubled. By thoughtfully matching our volunteer mentors with a child in care, with the intention of them becoming a significant adult in the young person’s life, our volunteer's time and connection have positively influenced a child’s life outcomes more than any other gesture.
The Pyjama Foundation has shown that participants can create the better future they want to see through volunteering. That’s what makes volunteering as diverse an activity as those who take part, as no matter how you share your values, the community impact of caring for others speaks for itself.
“My Pyjama child was in the middle of reading aloud a long couple of paragraphs she had written and was self-editing, ‘No that needs to be a comma and a full stop there’.
Her Carer caught my eye and said, ‘Steph, can you remember when you first came, she was ten and she didn’t even know how to read!’ I told them I remember the moment we met so well.”
We know that just over half of all Australians volunteer, be a part of the next half by joining The Pyjama Foundation in celebration of National Volunteer Week. Your unique skills and experience could be the difference that makes the difference.
Find out how you can volunteer with us today.
