Strong and Resilient Communities

2024-25 Recipients announced: Strong and Resilient Communities Activity Grants

Volunteering Tasmania is happy to announce the recipients of the ‘Strong and Resilient Communities Activity (SARC) – Community Support – Small Grants for Volunteer Involving Organisations’ grants program.

The grant will assist grassroots organisations to strengthen volunteering through capability and capacity building.

Organisations were able to apply for grants ($10,000 – $20,000) for one-off, time limited projects that build volunteer management capability, and help the organisation to support the social and economic participation of vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, and administered by the State and Territory volunteering peak bodies.

A picture of people walking on sand dunes. The title of Small Grants for Volunteer Involving Organisations, and logos of the volunteering peak bodies throughout Australia, along with the Australia Government, Department of Social Services logo.

Grant Recipients

Congratulations to the following 2024-25 Strong and Resilient Communities Activity Grant Recipients:

A Fairer World shares the voices of Tasmanians who have experienced stigma and discrimination to create a more inclusive community. Through this grant funding, A Fairer World will provide safe spaces to build the capacity of volunteers to share lived experiences, and foster empathy and inclusion through public storytelling events such as the Tasmanian Diversity and Inclusion Expo.

Be Hers addresses the critical issues of human trafficking and exploitation, and their root causes globally and in Tasmania. Through this grant funding, Be Hers will enhance their volunteer management capability through training that enables their volunteers and, in turn, empowers the individuals they serve.

Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden aspires to be a world recognised woodland garden showcasing and protecting Rhododendrons. Through this grant funding, Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden will run a series of workshops to train volunteers and volunteer managers, and to improve the policies and procedures regarding the recruitment, empowerment and retention of volunteers.

Hospice Care Association focuses on improving the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses enabling them to maintain a dignified lifestyle in the environment of their choice. Through this grant funding, Hospice Care Association will engage a consultant to assist with the development of a Volunteering Strategy and a trainer to build volunteer management capacity and improve the quality of volunteer programs.

Hospice Volunteers South help those with a life limiting illness to live their best life. Through this grant funding, Hospice Volunteers South will increase the capacity of women in the local community to engage with others by volunteering, becoming trainers, building skills and confidence and volunteer numbers.

Huonville Lions Football Club are a community football club fielding teams at both Senior and Junior Level. Through this grant funding, Huonville Lions Football Club aim to empower young people and women to take on essential volunteer roles through training and support to increase female participation in the club. 

Live Well Tasmania improves the health and wellbeing of their local community with a focus on disadvantaged youth, using a whole of community wellbeing approach. Through this grant funding, Live Well Tasmania will develop a comprehensive Volunteer Management Policy and provide training for volunteers that improves the quality of the volunteer experience and the recruitment of volunteers. In addition they will build volunteer capacity for the unemployed through a life skills program.

New Mornings provide community-based mental health support programs including a focus on individuals with complex mental health, and those who are isolated, marginalised or vulnerable. Through this grant funding, New Mornings will engage a dedicated volunteer recruiter to increase their volunteer numbers and capability to support young people who are disengaged, or at risk of disengaging, from education, and to help reconnection with their community.

Print Radio is a community radio station that provides a vital radio reading service for individuals with low vision and low literacy. Through this grant funding, Print Radio will undertake an accessibility audit to inform a revamp of facilities and resources with the goal to identify and remove barriers that may prevent people with disability from volunteering.

Prison Fellowship Australia – Tasmania offers one-on-one friendship and training to inmates and helps ex-prisoners reintegrate into community. They also support the family of inmates, especially children. Through this grant funding, Prison Fellowship Australia – Tasmania will recruit and train volunteers who can support inmates within Hobart’s Risdon Prison Complex; many of whom face mental health challenges.

Sorell Community Network is a volunteer run community organisation focused on empowering community members to eradicate poverty. Through this grant funding, Sorell Community Network will build capacity for all volunteers to engage effectively with their community and develop mentors to help participants move out of poverty and create sustained change.

Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations (TASSO) is the peak body for state School Associations within Tasmania. Through this grant funding, TASSO aim to strengthen and support the volunteering efforts that exist within Tasmanian schools by creating a suite of resources to support and engage volunteers.

West Moonah Neighbourhood House is a social hub providing opportunities for the community, featuring a Community Shed, Community Garden and Community Preschool, and delivering a wide range of services to the local community. Through this grant funding, West Moonah Neighbourhood House will build volunteer confidence, communication and leadership skills through training, enhance skills and address skill shortages.