• Time frame:  Minimum commitment of 12 months
• Time involved: 1-4 hours per week. Any time including evenings and weekends

The program

Having friends is important for physical and mental health. Red Cross supports our participants to feel better and less lonely by matching them with a volunteer to spend time together talking and doing social activities. These visits can have a large impact on a person’s life: making them feel happier, healthier and reducing social isolation.

The Mates program focusses on the person, their unique strengths and abilities, rather than their mental illness. Right now we are looking for volunteers with an interest in cinema and movies OR an interest in going for long drives OR an interest in arts and craft. We would also really love to find some volunteers with lived experience in supporting a person with trauma OR family violence OR complex needs.

The opportunity

This Role suits someone over the age of 18 who has good conversation skills with clear spoken English, who is a good listener and can commit to at least one hour a week for a social visit with a lonely person. What you do together is up to you and your MATE: you might go for coffee, visit a museum, go for a drive, visit a park or even walk your dogs together. The possibilities are endless. The program allows for time off due to holidays and study requirements. We are recognised by Centrelink as a place you can meet your mutual obligation volunteer hours. Please note that we are NOT able to offer work placements for students as part of this role.

The impact

As a MATES volunteer, you’ll brighten the life of someone experiencing social isolation by offering them companionship and friendship and helping to open doors to other new friendships. You’ll also brighten your own life: gaining satisfaction, enjoyment and personal development through your visits. Red Cross will ensure you have training, ongoing support and access to other opportunities within the World’s largest humanitarian network.

Red Cross strives to create a safe and inclusive culture with wellbeing at its centre. We embrace diversity and welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with different lived experiences, abilities, gender, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation. We are a child safe organisation with zero tolerance of any harm to children. Our vision is to be trusted as the leading humanitarian organisation making a genuine difference in the lives of people and communities. Thank you for considering volunteering at Red Cross. We also have great career opportunities.