Redefining Volunteering

While it remains valuable however you choose to do so, organisations like St John Queensland are recognising that making it easier for people to volunteer with the time they have available is paramount.  

Ex-serving Defence member and St John Qld Head of Business Development and Engagement David Martin says volunteering is far more agile today.  

“Organisations like St John recognise that if someone can only give, for example, a couple of hours a month, we appreciate that contribution, value your time and ensure we provide the volunteer with a meaningful experience,” he says.  

“And for people wanting to volunteer, it’s almost flipping the mindset that sometimes prevents people from volunteering in the first place. You can give back to your chosen community without it needing to be a huge commitment of days or weeks. It can just be what you can give.” 

Time is something we are all increasingly struggling to find and preserve, and David says it is equally important organisations show appreciation, and value the time someone can give. 

“At St John, for example, we’re really focusing on trying to make the volunteer process as easy as possible. If they’re giving their time to us, we know it’s their spare time, that time being taken away from family or friends, so it must be worthwhile.”  

He also underlines that volunteering needn’t be a formal thing, the essence of volunteering can also just be small acts of kindness throughout our day.  

“Sometimes that’s all it needs to be. It can be an act that connects you with your community.” 

St John volunteers can be working in the community doing anything and everything from teaching first aid in primary schools, supporting administrative endeavours at their head office, driving people to essential appointments, assisting with shopping or being part of the pre-hospital first aid organisation that allows community events and activities to occur. 

FINDING WORK THAT MATTERS  

David acknowledges that he’s in a unique situation where the organisation he now works for allows him to fill his cup serving his community and being able to see the tangible benefits. And giving back to his veteran community is something he’s passionate about.  

“I was 18 when I joined the Army, and when I left nine years later, like many, I struggled with the transition. Especially finding a new direction for work. Things like job interviews, preparing CVs were hard,” he says.  

“So, at St John one thing we do is work with ex-serving Defence members to help them be able to put more tangible things on the CV through volunteer opportunities. They can volunteer in the business and can then put us down as a reference. It gives them something on their new CV other than military experience, which can really help.  

“Likewise, it matters to me that they know they’re not alone. And when I help a fellow veteran, I often think it’s creating a chain of help. They will help another veteran when they can and share what they’ve learned. 

“There really is a whole world of possibility out there. And RSL Queensland is a huge player in the space connecting people to these opportunities.”  

If there was one piece of advice he would extend, David says it’s to have the confidence to ask the question.  

“There’s a show my wife and I watch – New Amsterdam – and the main character always asks, ‘How can I help?’ And I think I always approach it with that in the front of my mind and will try to find a way to help where I can,” he shares.  

“If you don’t ask, you’ll never know the answer, so I always think it’s better to have the confidence to ask and then you know and can take action from there.”  

FIND OUT MORE 

St John has been supporting Queenslanders every day since 1883 and there’s plenty of ways to get involved.

Find Out More

Want to stay informed? Subscribe today and get the latest news, services, events and more direct to your email inbox.