GIVING BACK TO THE
COMMUNITY
Volunteers are the backbone of Uniting Communities. From aged care and telephone counselling to social support and respite care, the time and effort donated by our volunteers makes a huge difference to our organisation.
Every so often one of our volunteers is recognised for their amazing contribution, with a Premier’s Certificate for outstanding volunteer service, designed to recognise and reward excellence and significant achievements. This year, Cheryl Spear was awarded the Certificate for her fantastic work volunteering for Uniting Communities.
A keen artist and face-painter, Cheryl has volunteered for Uniting Communities since 2012, filling a range of different roles as a Telelink group convenor, and as a driver to transport people to Health Access, our day therapy centre at Prospect.
‘I volunteer at the Telelink service on Wednesday, doing crosswords on the phone with an elderly lady. She’s housebound and we’ll spend an hour
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doing crosswords over the phone with each other,’ Cheryl explains. ‘There is definitely a sense of fulfilment knowing that I am providing that connection for someone who is housebound; they miss being able to leave the house and they appreciate having someone to have a chat to.’
Cheryl says that giving back to the community is her main reason for volunteering. ‘During the earlier years of raising the kids I received government support, not being able to work full-time,’ Cheryl says. ‘I wanted to do something as a way of giving back to the community for the benefits I received.’
Cheryl says that receiving the Premier’s Certificate was a big surprise. ‘It was wonderful. It’s something to be proud of.’
Uniting Communities' volunteer, Cheryl
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