Life in Community Volunteering

Social isolation and loneliness are important issues for people with a mental health issue and their carers that, if not addressed, can have significant impacts on recovery and wellbeing. The LinC volunteer program supports people in social inclusion activities by encouraging community linkage, building on natural supports and developing social connections.

Volunteers support an individual for a maximum of three months and during this time the focus is on identifying and developing sustainable and ongoing social links in collaboration with the person they’re supporting.

What would I be doing as a LinC volunteer?

Volunteers assist with social inclusion by supporting people in a range of activities, such as catching public transport, exploring different interests or hobbies, learning how to use the internet and social networking sites, joining social interest groups, and building confidence in getting to know their local area, such as the gym, neighbourhood house, library, parks, art galleries, and walking paths.

Volunteers are guided by the person experiencing a mental health issue, by finding out what ‘community’ means to them and how they would like to participate. Volunteers are aware that everyone’s experience of belonging to community is different and they are respectful of this.

The LinC volunteer program recruits volunteers with good local knowledge from the local community, enabling many varied opportunities for community connection.