Celebrating Brightwater volunteers on International Volunteer Day (IVD)
Acts of kindness don’t just change someone’s world; they can change the entire world. At Brightwater, our volunteers enrich every environment they enter with their selfless generosity and caring spirit.
This International Volunteer Day (IVD), we celebrate three of our dedicated volunteers who bring so much joy and meaning to our residents and the wider Brightwater community.
Meet Doreen, Fiona and Darcy!
What area of Brightwater do you volunteer in?
Birralee and Kingsley.
What activities/ roles do you perform as a volunteer?
Chaplaincy/Pastoral Care at Birralee.
Conduct a Prayer Service and visit residents for a chat.
Play Scrabble with a resident every second Wednesday and every Friday.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I wanted to do something meaningful with my life after a long illness, during which time I struggled with my inability to perform any menial duties and with my mental health and personal worth.
I also desired to use my skills and qualifications for the benefit of others.
I had worked in many fields and thought it would be great to branch out and do something new that would be within my physical limitations.
I had played scrabble for over 20 years with an elderly gentleman and missed the camaraderie that came with it. Small as it might seem, it was something I could do.
When I was asked if I was interested in doing a weekly service at Birralee, I thought I had won lotto.
Is volunteering what you expected it to be?
Absolutely and then some. It is fantastic. The staff at Birralee are so welcoming and so positive. They make me feel like I’m a part of something very special and I am so impressed at how much they care for the residents.
The residents themselves are so thankful for my visits and I feel so privileged that they are so willing to share their concerns with me.
What do you like most about volunteering?
Having something I am able to contribute to the world within my limitations. It gives me a sense of worth and that I am still a valued member of society with something to offer.
Being able to pray with and spend time with a wonderful group of people who can teach me so much and to who, hopefully, I can bring some comfort and some peace.
What benefits do you receive from volunteering?
It gets me out of the house. It enables me to be other focused and in so doing assists me to rise above my disability.
Volunteering enables me to feel that I still have something to offer, and my life is enriched as a result.
I get to meet a beautiful bunch of people who appreciate what little I have to offer.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering?
If you have the time and the energy, do it. It is enlightening and very rewarding. Even a simple game of scrabble can bring so much joy to another person.
Is there anything else you would like to mention about volunteering at Brightwater?
I am sorry to say I expected that the Nursing Home would be drab and rather dreary and that the residents would complain about the poor quality of service and how much they hated being there and that they would be waiting to die.
I was blown away by the homely feeling, the cleanliness, the attentiveness and quick response of staff to the residents needs and by the positivity of the residents who consider themselves to be so lucky to be at Brightwater. Contrary to my thinking, the residents are happy to be there for the most part and love life as it is, despite the fragility of their bodies and minds. They are open to receiving the help that they need and happy to ask to have their needs met.
Each resident is treated with respect and love and their dignity and privacy upheld always.
It is a privilege to be part of such a caring community.
Much as I struggled with the required training, it has enabled me to feel more confident within my role and clarified the boundaries I work within.
I feel very much at home at Brightwater and am so delighted to be part of your community.
Brightwater staff share their appreciation for Doreen:
“Doreen comes in and greets everyone by name. She has taken on our spiritual support/pastoral care projects every Friday. Doreen goes around to every room and provides our residents with emotional support and banter. Doreen always greets staff as well and is going above and beyond our expectations as a volunteer!”
What area of Brightwater do you volunteer in:
Concierge for our independent living retirees who attend the Brightwater facilities for their sing-alongs and physio/gym supported exercises.
What activities/roles do you perform as a volunteer:
Meeting and greeting.
Participating with the activities.
Engaging in conversation.
Serving a light lunch and tea & coffee.
Why did you decide to volunteer:
To give back to the community
Being connected to people
Is volunteering what you expected to be:
Yes, and so much more.
What do you like most about volunteering:
Making someone's day just with a smile and chat.
What benefits do you receive from volunteering:
To be part of a big organisation who provide a wonderful environment for our elderly and being connected.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering:
Do it! Not only is it making positive change in others’ lives but also your own life.
Is there anything else you would like to mention about volunteering at Brightwater:
I love being part of the team at Brightwater. Everyone, staff and residents, are all very inclusive. It’s a great atmosphere and lovely place to be a part of.
Brightwater staff share their appreciation for Fiona:
“Fiona has been an outstanding volunteer. She engages with the participants empathetically and naturally, learns quickly, and takes a lot of initiative in executing her responsibilities. Clients and team members have expressed how easy and lovely it is to work with her and how comfortable they feel around Fiona. Fiona's excellent communication skills allow her to connect with clients one-on-one, making the client feel seen and heard.”
What area of Brightwater do you volunteer in?
I volunteer at Brightwater Biralee as a buddy for people seeking out more time to form social connections.
What activities/ roles do you perform as a volunteer?
I do a lot of chatting and asking questions, colouring in, looking at photos, listening to stories, going for walks and more.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I wanted to give something back to the community and feel like I was doing something productive with my time.
Is volunteering what you expected it to be?
I love volunteering, it's really good fun and I've formed connections that I never expected to have. You often make friends in the most unlikely places!
What do you like most about volunteering?
I love feeling like I'm helping people. And I love the energy that some of the elderly people have, often there's this amazement and wonder that never leaves.
What benefits do you receive from volunteering?
The benefit I receive is that it's good for my wellbeing. I take great enjoyment from spending time with new people.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering?
Don't be afraid to get involved, you might make someone's day. Your time doesn't need to be paid for always, it's nice to do some things because you can!
Is there anything else you would like to mention about volunteering at Brightwater?
I feel like the staff members do a lot to make sure the residents feel dignified and respected, and this is noticed often as when I spend time with particular people, they point out staff members who are very kind to them.
Brightwater staff share their appreciation for Darcy:
“Darcy is always smiling, and her happiness is infectious! Darcy spends time doing colour therapy and nails with one of our residents and often joins in with our activities.”
Thank you, Fiona, Darcy and Doreen, for sharing your Brightwater volunteering experiences with us.
Volunteering is a fantastic way to give back to your community, learn new skills and maybe even discover a whole new perspective. Interested in volunteering? We invite you to find out more about volunteering at Brightwater and enquire here.
