Vinnies Connect and Play program

The Vinnies Connect and Play programme provides an opportunity for isolated refugee women to come together with their young children and socialise with the other parents, children and volunteers.

The programme aims to:

• Support isolated women who are experiencing significant challenges in navigating living between two cultures, due to their understanding and knowledge of language, traditions and customs;
• Build and strengthen the mother’s English, promote interpersonal skills and provide potential pathways to participate in the wider community;
• Support children’s learning through play-based activities.

As a Volunteer Team Member, you will play a central role in the operations of the programme, making a significant and valuable contribution to the St Vincent de Paul Society.

The Volunteer Role

The Volunteer Team Members will perform a variety of tasks including:

• Create a ‘safe space’ for mothers and children ;
• Set up equipment and activities for children to use;
• Interact with both children and mothers during children’s playtime; and
• Encourage mothers to use English during conversations.

The volunteers we are seeking will ideally:

• Be a people person – welcoming, encouraging and positive;
• Be willing to work within the ethos of the St Vincent de Paul Society;
• Be respectful of others and flexible in their attitude to work and the team;
• Be able to work without supervision; and
• Have good time management and be punctual.

No experience needed as coaching and training is provided. We welcome those with previous experience working with mothers and children to share their experience with their fellow volunteers.

Why join Vinnies as a volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to interact with like-minded people and build friendships.

Your contribution as a volunteer will bring you a feeling of satisfaction knowing you are working for an organisation that makes a difference for those in need. It will provide an opportunity for those who would like to gain retail training and experience and an avenue for you to share your expertise and talents.

Our volunteers are an integral part of the ongoing success of our Vinnies shops and in achieving the goals outlined in the St Vincent de Paul NSW’s Strategic Plan.

If you are interested in becoming a much valued Vinnies volunteer, please either pop in to the shop for an application and information pack or hit the APPLY button below.

Vinnies

The St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) assists people experiencing poverty and inequality and works to shape a more just and compassionate society. We assist in offering “a hand up” to people in need. We do this by respecting their dignity, sharing our hope, and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny.

The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation. Vinnies has developed a clear, accountable and transparent Policy and Procedures to ensure that it complies with relevant legislation and that all children and young people who come into contact with Vinnies are kept safe and are supported to the best of our capacity.

St Vincent de Paul Society (NSW) is an Equal Opportunity host and is committed to engaging a diverse workforce. Vinnies strongly encourages applications from people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and mature aged applicants.