We do a lot of things at North Richmond Community Health.
We provide vital health services for our community. We support learning and development for local children. We conduct groundbreaking research. We keep people socially connected.
And much of this work is done by people who volunteer their time.
On National Volunteers Week (8 May to 14 May), we’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of our incredible volunteers. Their tireless contribution supports the health, education and social wellbeing of our local community. Without their hard work, expertise and energy, we could not do the work that we do.
The people who volunteer with us come from many different cultures, speak many different languages and bring a variety of personal and professional skills to their work. Among our volunteers are lawyers, students, engineers, and community members, of varying ages. This diverse and rich mix is part of what makes North Richmond Community Health unique.
We are very fortunate to have several long term volunteers who have been with North Richmond Community Health for many years, with some volunteering for 15 years.
The quality of our volunteers is widely known, and has been formally recognised. North Richmond Community Health Pro-Bono Orthodontist Dr Brian McGuinness, who received the Outstanding Achievement by a Volunteer: Improving Public Healthcare Award at 2016’s Minister for Health Volunteer Awards.
After 25 years as an orthodontist, Dr Brian McGuinness now volunteers his time and expertise at the North Richmond Community Health Oral Health Program. Since April 2014, Brian has volunteered for three hours, four times a month. Through his involvement, North Richmond Community Health also entered into a partnership with the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School that will enable 22 remote Aboriginal children to receive ongoing oral and general healthcare.
Without Brian and Greg White, North Richmond Community Health’s other Pro-Bono Orthodontist, many people would go without access to orthodontic care.
This year, Lara Kanaef, one of our volunteers in the Needle Syringe Program, has been shortlisted for the 2017 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards.
Our volunteers are at the heart of our work at North Richmond Community Health.
Here are some of Programs our Volunteers have participated in over the last year:
General volunteering:
- Chair Based Exercise
- North Richmond Community Health events
- Health Promotion
- The Café
- Playgroup (City of Yarra Partnership)
- Finance Administration
- Childcare
- Occupational Therapy Programs (Tai Chi, No Falls)
- Needle Syringe Program
- Medical Administration Support
- Seniors Club
- Social Connectedness through English Conversation
- Homework Support
- Water Moves
- Research projects
- Companion Animal Program (City of Yarra Partnership)
- Oral Health Program
- Speech Pathology Programs (School Readiness, Play Picnics)
Pro Bono :
- Kose Nehan: oral health promotion in East Timor
- Dental Fair (Tzu Chi Foundation Partnership)
- Financial Advice
- Orthodontic and Dental Services
There are volunteer opportunities available right now at North Richmond Community Health. To learn more about volunteering with us, go to Get Involved.
