News and views from our community

Food to the rescue

This National Volunteer Week Baptcare celebrates the generous contribution of our 790 passionate Baptcare volunteers, like Jeff Davies whose profile is shared below, who have contributed over 42,000 hours to volunteering this year alone. Our youngest volunteer is just eight years old and plays chess with one of our residents at Hedley Sutton Community while our oldest is 95 who assists in the kiosk at Strathalan Community. Baptcare will hold 19 events this week recognising the contribution of our volunteers within our communities and programs. Volunteers will also be recognised for their length of service and receive acknowledgement in the form of badges and certificates.Looking for a chance to improve the lives of people seeking asylum, Jeff Davies decided to join Sanctuary, becoming an important member of the volunteer team.“I was looking for a way to do something positive to help”, says Jeff.Joining Sanctuary three years ago, Jeff originally assisted residents with writing resumes and developing interview skills. This is an important area of Sanctuary’s work, with education and employment crucial to a resident’s transition into Australian society.Currently, Jeff assists Sanctuary by picking up and distributing food donations to our Brunswick and Preston sites. Both of these roles have given Jeff the chance to chat and listen to the experiences of residents.“I find the incredible endurance, intelligence and positivity of many of the residents, in the face of very challenging circumstances, truly admirable,” says Jeff.Through his volunteering efforts, Jeff has seen first-hand the dedication of Sanctuary’s volunteers and the generous donations that make Sanctuary possible. He continues to volunteer as he feels a great sense of pleasure in meeting and assisting residents.“It is a very satisfying thing to do, particularly given the attitude and education of the Baptcare staff. I would definitely recommend the experience to anyone looking to make a difference,” says Jeff.Jeff’s wife, Geunolee has heeded his enthusiastic recommendation to join Sanctuary as a volunteer, currently assisting residents with their English skills.“Hopefully I will link in some more helpers in the future,” says Jeff.Outside of Sanctuary, Jeff has 30 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry and is a Founding Director of CBE, a consulting company in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry.Volunteering has always been a prominent part of Jeff’s life. His work with CBE has involved working with developing countries in increasing the production of vaccines.Jeff also dedicates his spare time to fundraising through fun runs and cycling events such as The Great Cycle Challenges.Baptcare and Sanctuary are forever grateful to people like Jeff, as their generosity makes a positive difference in the lives of Sanctuary residents.Around 73 per cent of our Baptcare volunteers say they want to make a difference and that Baptcare supports them to achieve this. Baptcare volunteers not only make a wonderful contribution to the Sanctuary program, but also to our residential aged care residents, our famillies and their children, our staff and our foster children and we cannot express our gratitude enough for their hard work. From all of us here at Baptcare, we say THANK YOU for everything our volunteers do!

• 21 May 2019

Celebrating our volunteers

This National Volunteer Week Baptcare celebrates the generous contribution of our 790 passionate Baptcare volunteers, like Stanley Thomas whose profile is shared below, who have contributed over 42,000 hours to volunteering this year alone. Our youngest volunteer is just eight years old and plays chess with one of our residents at Hedley Sutton Community while our oldest is 95 who assists in the kiosk at Strathalan Community. Baptcare will hold 19 events this week recognising the contribution of our volunteers within our communities and programs. Volunteers will also be recognised for their length of service and receive acknowledgement in the form of badges and certificates. Retiree, Stanley Thomas, recently begun volunteering as an Administration and IT volunteer for Baptcare’s Sanctuary program. Stanley was eager to help support a not-for-profit organisation and welcomed the opportunity after learning of the program via the Baptcare website.Not new to volunteering, Stanley currently volunteers for the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) tutoring migrants in English. His previous volunteering has seen him tutor two Melbourne Polytechnic students of refugee backgrounds undertaking bookkeeping courses, develop finance procedures for the Compass Club which is part of Melbourne City Mission, and conduct computer training for new migrants at Whittlesea Community Connections.Baptcare’s Sanctuary program prides itself on providing people with safety, opportunity and a fair go. This is done through Sanctuary’s work in providing education, developing skills and knowledge, work opportunities and building a respectful community.During his one day a week at Sanctuary, Stanley works on spreadsheets, formatting documents and consulting on developing new databases. His work enables Sanctuary staff to spend more time focusing on the residents.When asked about how he feels about volunteering, Stanley says he gains a real sense of satisfaction through his volunteer work at Sanctuary.“I truly feel like I am making a difference and a real part of the community,” says Stanley. “There is a sense of belonging at Sanctuary, through the friendly atmosphere of staff and volunteers”. “During my short time so far at Sanctuary I have thoroughly enjoyed and admired the work undertaken to protect such vulnerable members of the community,” says Stanley.Stanley went on to recommend the opportunity of volunteering to others describing Baptcare as an “organisation which can utilise the skills, talents and experience of volunteers in order to meet its objectives”.Baptcare is forever grateful for people like Stanley, as their generosity makes such a positive difference in the lives of all who reside at Sanctuary.Around 73 per cent of our Baptcare volunteers say they want to make a difference and that Baptcare supports them to achieve this. Baptcare volunteers not only make a wonderful contribution to the Sanctuary program, but also to our residential aged care residents, our famillies and their children, our staff and our foster children and we cannot express our gratitude enough for their hard work. From all of us here at Baptcare, we say THANK YOU for everything our volunteers do!

• 20 May 2019

• Residential Aged Care

Hear from our Mornington Peninsula aged care residents

When Margaret Grey’s family felt she wasn’t coping at home, they started looking for a residential aged care community that could provide the extra support she needed. “We chose Peninsula View because it had a great atmosphere and lovely staff,” says Margaret.

• 03 Sep 2018