Being a Genovation volunteer, you will be a valued, welcomed and respected part of the team. You will be well supported by our team of carers, who will be grateful to have you a part of the team. We are a small group of 8 young adults aged 18 to 27 all with intellectual and physical disabilities. Each participant requires individual assistance throughout the day. The group is organised and run by our program coordinator, who currently works on the floor with a participant while she is running the program. It would be so helpful to have an extra pair of hands to work with the participants, allowing the coordinator the time to be able to engage with each participant and carer and further implement the program.

We require assistance with:

• Engaging with the participants in activities - Eg: many require hand over hand assistance for art and craft
• Preparing meals (opening lunch boxes, laying food out for the participants) some require assistance with feeding also
• Pushing wheelchairs
• Being a part of the team and making sure the participants are having fun
• No personal care (toileting) assistance will be required

There are no formal skills required for this role, however a fun, bubbly outgoing personality is essential. You need to be willing to participate in children's songs (singing, hand actions), being active - getting our young adults out of their chairs to go for short walks, and engage them in the community - pointing interesting things out to them, or talking to them about what they are doing / seeing, showing them animals at the zoo etc.

Our organisation started from a mum's vision to have a program that allowed young adults with significant disabilities to thrive is a safe, fun and engaging space, while having them recognised and accepted as citizens of their local communities. Our structured program, allows them to be able to predict their day and their environment which helps them to feel safe and happy. This positivity further enhances the development of friendships between the participants.

Benefits of volunteering at Genovation are making a difference not only to the participants, but also our carers and even to yourself. You will benefit from gaining valuable skills, training and experience, which may lead to paid employment if you wish. Our young adults are such an important part of our local community and as a volunteer you will also feel more connected to your community, providing a sense of pride and purpose. You will meet new people along the way, both within our organisation and in the community.

The highlights of our program can be found on our facebook and instagram pages if you would like to see more of our program in operation.