National Volunteering Week – become a ‘grey nomad’
Volunteers have been recognised for their efforts as part of National Volunteering Week. National Seniors Australia is highlighting its INSTEP program which places seniors in Aboriginal communities.
The Indigenous Skills Transfer and Exchange Partnership (INSTEP) program aims to help Indigenous community members improve their own circumstances by placing skilled ‘grey nomads’ in communities.
INSTEP is looking for more ‘grey nomads’ to donate their time and expertise in regional communities and in some metropolitan locations around Australia.
Volunteers pass on a range of skills assisting with projects like schooling, trades such as construction, market gardening, community governance, healthy eating and more.
In 2009, 24 seniors collectively volunteered more than 862 days in Indigenous communities. INSTEP volunteers contributed an estimated 4,618 voluntary hours in Indigenous communities.
INSTEP project manager, Karen Furnivall, said INSTEP had been embraced by a number of communities who see the program as a catalyst for bringing about positive change in areas such as literacy and numeracy, school attendance and employment participation.
“The volunteers who have worked in the communities continue to receive the praise and admiration of Indigenous community and government representatives,” she said.
To find out more about volunteering opportunities for INSTEP phone 1300 76 50 50.
