For Finn, volunteering has given him many rich experiences as well as a sense of achievement.
With his support worker, Thomas, he volunteers regularly at a Launceston City Mission op shop. The role involves sorting through donations such as clothes and bric-a-brac.
He says it’s been a great learning experience.
“I learned different things. It could be hard sometimes (being asked to do new things), but it’s actually easy getting the hang of a new skill. It’s exciting.”
Finn says he loves the sense of belonging that comes with volunteering. “It’s a fantastic feeling to be with the other people who work there.”
He believes it’s important for volunteers to get to know each other. “Introduce yourself to other people, talk to somebody who’s a bit different. It’s a good thing to learn about meeting new people, a big skill.”
Finn strongly feels that “having a support worker can be really good” when volunteering and that this can help someone with disability to volunteer.
Being flexible around a volunteer’s availability and encouraging new volunteers to ask questions are other things volunteering organisations should bear in mind. His advice for new volunteers is to remember that “it doesn’t matter that you don’t know, it’s actually okay that you don’t know.”
Thanks to the skills Finn acquired from volunteering, he has gained employment at the Launceston Airport Café. Volunteering has increased his confidence, which was beneficial during the recruitment process.
He says the airport environment can be frantic. “It’s okay if it’s busy – you just get the hang of it. It’s a good feeling.”
Finn says his volunteer experience has been one of growing, learning, and joy.
“It’s fantastic to be a volunteer.”
