Volunteers 

Volunteers play an integral role at Minda by enhancing programs and services delivered to people supported by the organisation.

We currently have almost 300 registered volunteers, who contribute an outstanding amount of time and resources to the Minda community.

Volunteering with Minda is primarily about people enriching and empowering the life of someone with an intellectual disability, while gaining a chance to develop and expand their own skill base, meet new people, explore career development and discover training opportunities.

Whether it is making time once a year or once a week, volunteer assistance always makes a difference to those in need and goes a long way to building a stronger state.

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How can I become a volunteer?

Areas where you can be involved

Frequently asked questions

Corporate volunteering

How can I become a volunteer?

People interested in volunteer opportunities with Minda can contact Volunteer Services.
Information can be posted or emailed, or you can make a time to come in and have a chat.

Applying for a role

Current vacancies are listed on our website.
See our Current Volunteer Vacancies page to view.
There are many areas within Minda that are regularly seeking volunteer assistance. These roles may not be listed as vacancies, so please speak with Volunteer Services if you have an interest in a specific area.

There are several ways of applying to volunteer at Minda:
download and print a form
complete an online enquiry or phone Volunteer Services on 8422 6244

You can send your registration form to:
Volunteer Services
PO Box 5
BRIGHTON SA 5048
volunteers@minda.asn.au

Ph: 8422 6244
Fax: 8422 6330

Interview

All potential volunteers undergo a short informal interview, which enables us to understand your interests, skills and capabilities and ensure a rewarding volunteer experience.  The interview process will also give you the opportunity to gain an understanding of Minda and how you can assist with enhancing our programs.

Following the interview, you will be asked to obtain a National Police Clearance and provide details of referees. You will be notified if you have been successful in obtaining a volunteer role shortly after interview.

Induction and training

Induction and training is provided to all volunteers at Minda to ensure confidence and knowledge in undertaking their role.

Induction to your working area will be given on the first day of volunteering, and we ask that you participate in a corporate induction as soon as possible after commencement.
A training program has been developed for volunteers and is dependent upon the role that you will be undertaking.

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Areas where you can be involved

Volunteers support Minda in a wide variety of roles across the following areas:

Transport

Volunteers assist with transporting groups or individuals on outings to social and recreational activities with the support of staff. Transport is provided in a bus (where a bus licence is required) or in a car or van.

Day Options activities

Minda offers a variety of high quality, engaging Day Options programs for people with an intellectual disability. These programs aim to enhance social and life skills, develop and build on interests and abilities, and support community participation.

Companionship

Minda’s Buddy program links people together to create friendships and provide opportunities for fun and the discovery of new skills.

You can assist a person to fulfill their dreams and aspirations and link into their community. This may be as easy as getting together for a coffee and a chat once a week or going to the football, shopping, the movies or fishing.

Social and leisure outings and activities

Minda’s Leisure Options provide a wide range of leisure activities for people who are accommodated by Minda with activities based on individual choice. These activities include sports, arts and social outings.

Fundraising and events

Minda holds fundraising events throughout the year to supplement programs and services.

Volunteer involvement is vital to the success of these events, with volunteers assisting at the event as well as with pre-event tasks like wrapping, sorting and collating event merchandise.

Lotteries, BBQ’s and trading tables are also held throughout the year, with volunteers assisting on a roster basis.

Administration

Administration assistance is provided to a range of areas within Minda. This may include mail outs, filing, computer work, and data entry.

Holidays – short, interstate and overseas

Providing support to enable people to travel is a key area where volunteers can assist people to achieve their dreams.

Volunteers accompany people on short trips, which may be local, interstate, or even overseas.

Aged Care

Minda operates an aged care facility. Volunteers provide additional opportunities for entertainment, lifestyle and personal extra activities not provided for in the daily routine.
Assistance can be provided for:
•   lifestyle activities
•   walking (in or out of a wheelchair)
•   helping individuals to tidy wardrobes, cupboards and rooms
•   shopping trips and attendance at appointments

Commercial Enterprises

At Minda, we maximise supported employment opportunities for people with a disability through viable business outlets. Our Commercial Enterprises provide supported employment to more than 300 people.
Volunteers are involved in the following commercial areas:

•   Minda Packaging Services
•   Trak Furniture
•   Craigburn Nursery
•   Aquatic Centre

Tutti Arts

Tutti Arts is an innovative arts partnership between Tutti Ensemble and Minda. Opportunities for the artists engaged in the program include the chance to work with professional artists in the visual and performing arts to develop, practice and showcase new skills.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of volunteering?

Volunteering can be a lot of fun and is a great way of meeting people and making new friends. Many volunteers also benefit from learning new skills and building up valuable work experience. Whatever your motivation, you can be sure that your efforts will be making a real contribution in supporting people with disability..

Who volunteers at Minda?

Volunteers at Minda come from a diverse background and age range.
Some become involved with Minda as a stepping stone to gaining skills for employment, others to enhance social networks and gain a sense of personal satisfaction. No matter what your age, skills, or experience, your volunteer contribution makes a difference.

How much time do I have to give?

Minda has many varied volunteer roles that require different levels of time commitment. Some roles are dependent upon the time the program operates and others are very flexible. Your availability will be taken into consideration when discussing volunteer opportunities at interview.

What skills and experience do I need?

Some areas benefit from having volunteers with previous experience of working with people with intellectual disability, but most just require you to have good communication skills and a friendly and caring nature.

What training and support will I be given?

The recruitment process is very important in determining a person’s suitability for a role. Where possible, we will place you in a volunteer role that is suited to your abilities. Various training opportunities are provided to volunteers and are dependent upon the requirements of the role.
Support is provided to all volunteers, either by an area supervisor and/or the Volunteer Services team.

Where can I volunteer?

Volunteer opportunities occur in several areas within Adelaide. Minda’s volunteers are involved in programs on-site at Brighton campus as well as in the community. Most of the community opportunities are within the southern areas.

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Corporate volunteering

Minda welcomes opportunities for corporate organisations to become involved in volunteer projects.

Volunteer Services will work with the corporate organisation to develop a project that will provide the opportunity for corporate staff to work as a team, utilise their skills, and be a part of making a real impact on the people that Minda supports.

Projects may include the refurbishment of a home or garden, or involvement in a fundraising or social event.

Specialised volunteering, where you can contribute your expertise and skills to enhance a program within Minda is also of interest.

This may be in IT, marketing, administration, or mentoring, if you have skills that you would like to contribute, please contact Volunteer Services to discuss.

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