Volunteers are a valued part of the work we do at Wellways, helping create connection, belonging and hope across our mental health, disability, carer and community support programs. Through their compassion and commitment, volunteers support people to rebuild confidence, reconnect with community and work toward goals that matter to them.
As part of National Volunteer Week, Volunteer Coordinator Lauren Dare shares Angie’s inspiring story of strength, connection and rediscovering purpose. With support through the LinC Volunteer Program, Angie was able to return to ballet after a twenty-year hiatus — reconnecting with a part of herself she thought she had lost.
For as long as she can remember, ballet was part of Angie’s identity. She even ran a local dance school for many years, something she loved deeply and felt proud of. But over time, life became busier and dancing slowly faded into the background.
Then Angie experienced serious health issues requiring hospitalisation, long-term treatment and medication. Her physical health declined, along with her mental health, leading to an inpatient stay and a PARC admission.
“I was really unwell, and I lost so much muscle and strength. I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognise myself,” Angie recalls. “I wasn’t leaving the house. I honestly believed I would never get back to ballet again.”
Finding support through LinC
Angie’s keyworker at PARC referred her to the LinC Program while she was feeling isolated and disconnected from herself. LinC, which stands for ‘Life in the Community’, is a volunteer driven program that supports people to reconnect meaningfully with their community and build a sense of belonging.
For Angie, returning to dance was about more than exercise, it was about reconnecting with herself and a passion she felt she had lost. But she was also scared she wouldn’t be capable of doing it.
Through LinC, Angie was introduced to Ellie, who has been volunteering with the program for almost three years. At first, the focus wasn’t on big achievements or immediate change.
“We started off slow,” Ellie explains. “At first it was just going for walks, or even just sitting and having a chat.”
Starting this way helped Angie rebuild confidence and reconnect with the outside world after a long period of isolation.
“I wasn’t even leaving the house when we first started,” Angie says. “Having someone patient and understanding beside me made a huge difference. It meant I didn’t feel like I was going to fail.”
Returning to ballet
Gradually, Ellie and Angie began researching local adult ballet classes. Finding affordable options proved difficult, but eventually they found a local studio offering classes at a manageable cost.
While Ellie was away on a short trip, Angie was offered the chance to attend a trial class on her own. Determined to keep going, she took a leap of faith and went alone.
“I saw Angie afterwards and she was literally beaming,” Ellie says. “A month and a half in, and she was bouncing with joy.”
Angie says returning to dance helped rebuild her confidence, wellbeing and sense of identity.
“It gave me a way to get out of the house,” she explains. “Dance and the LinC Program tapped into a part of me that brings joy and happiness.”
The power of dance and connection
What surprised her most was the sense of belonging she found within the dance community.
“We go for coffee afterwards. They added me to their WhatsApp group,” she says with a laugh. “It’s a whole bunch of people my age who love ballet as much as I do.”
For someone who had spent so long feeling isolated, it meant everything.
“It’s like it opened up a whole future when I didn’t have one,” Angie says. “It’s given me back my dream.”
The power of connection
Throughout their time together, Ellie’s patience and understanding made a lasting difference.
“I cancelled sometimes on the harder days,” Angie reflects, “But Ellie never judged me or took it personally.”
For Ellie, that compassion came naturally and says the role has been deeply rewarding.
“We all have days when the world feels overwhelming,” she says. “I could see how much it meant to Angie, so being patient just made sense.”
“There’s something really special about seeing someone achieve something that matters so much to them,” she says. “It’s given me a real sense of purpose.”
When asked what she would say to someone who feels they’ve lost a part of themselves to mental health concerns, Angie’s answer is simple:
“Connecting with someone made all the difference. I had all the insight and knowledge that I needed to get out and do things to be well, but I couldn’t do it alone.”
Angie’s success was her own. But the support provided through the LinC Volunteer Program made it possible. This is just one story of many that show how powerful the connection and company of other people is, and the role volunteers play in the community.
Volunteering with Wellways
Our organisation was founded on the efforts of volunteer family members determined to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges. Today, volunteers continue to play a vital role in creating connection, belonging and hope across our communities.