National Volunteer Week – Building Community Through Volunteering

Volunteers are the lifeblood of every not-for-profit and social justice organisation, and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is no exception. As the largest human rights organisation advocating for refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia, our work simply would not be possible without the very lifeblood of our community – the hundreds of volunteers offering their skills, their time and their hearts every day.

This National Volunteer Week, at the ASRC, we would like to take the opportunity to celebrate our incredible community of volunteers who have been instrumental in building and sustaining every resource and service the ASRC offers to people seeking asylum in Australia. At the ASRC, we understand that volunteering goes beyond service – it enriches communities, creating a stronger and more connected society, one in which everyone can feel safe and welcome. Our communities are built by people willing to step up and be the force for change. 

ASRC’s Volunteer Engagement Program sits at the heart of this vibrant ecosystem, helping build a community where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference. From the very first expression of interest to induction, training, and ongoing connection, we aim to make the volunteer journey meaningful and impactful. We know that when volunteers are supported to thrive, the whole ASRC community thrives.

We strive to match volunteer positions with people’s skills, interests, and availability. We offer comprehensive training to set volunteers up for success, and we provide regular feedback, recognition and opportunities for growth. We celebrate our wins, big and small, and we offer special events like monthly volunteer briefings where our volunteers can get up to speed with what is happening across the organisation, National Volunteer Week celebrations and awards to honour long-term commitment, and of course, our wonderful end-of-year party.

From our humble beginnings as a small foodbank back in 2001, the ASRC has been nurtured and raised by a village of volunteers, engaged across all areas of ASRC’s work, including our Health Program, Humanitarian Services, Legal and Advocacy Services, Employment Pathways, Community Food Programs, Fundraising and Advocacy, and more. 

Whether they’re supporting health clinics, providing casework support or counselling, assisting with food distribution, cooking in our Community Kitchen, lending a hand in advocacy or fundraising, or helping people navigate complex legal systems, our volunteers make sure people seeking asylum have access to critical care, dignity, and hope. 

Volunteering is an act of selfless giving, but it is also an act of receiving – it is a wonderful way to improve physical and mental health as it increases both physical activity and social interactions. Volunteering for a cause that one is passionate about is a sure way of meeting like-minded people and creating uplifting social connectedness. 

At ASRC, volunteering is all about standing together, shoulder to shoulder, for a fairer, more compassionate Australia.

Ready to join our volunteer community? We’d love to hear from you!
#Volunteering #Community #ASRCVolunteers #PeoplePower #StandWithRefugees