Volunteer With Us
or simply love helping others, there’s a place for you at Byron Respite.
Calling all Volunteers
- Are you looking for a rich and rewarding volunteering experience?
- Do you enjoy being with people and enriching the lives of older community members?
Are you looking for a rich and rewarding volunteering experience? Do you enjoy being with people and enriching the lives of older community members? Visit any of our day programs for older adults or those living with dementia, and you’ll immediately sense the atmosphere of care, love, and fun. Volunteering with us means you’ll gain as much as you give. By assisting with our day programs, shopping trips, and picnic outings, you’ll help provide meaningful activities in a safe environment.
As a not-for-profit organization founded by volunteers more than 30 years ago, volunteers remain the backbone of Byron Shire Respite Service. Please reach out to jemimajanda@byronrespite.com.au to learn how you can join our inclusive and supportive workplace, ensuring our quality services continue thriving for years to come.
Perhaps you have some skills or interests you could share – arts, crafts, music, movement, exercise, dance, drama or storytelling. Or you have worked in hospitality or health. Maybe you like to pamper and have experience in hand/ foot care or massage, or perhaps gardening is your passion, or you are a handy man/woman. Whatever your skills and experience there is bound to be a niche here at the Byron Shire Respite Service just for you.
If you were to walk into any one of our week-day programs for older people or people living with dementia – you will immediately be enveloped by the atmosphere of care, love and fun. In volunteering with our organisation, you will find that you receive as much if not more than you give!
As a volunteer, you could assist workers with our Day programs in the centre or on bus trips offering shopping and picnic outings by engaging with clients and helping to provide meaningful activities in a safe environment. We are a not-for-profit organisation and acknowledge that our amazing volunteers are invaluable to ensuring that the quality services provided by Byron Shire Respite Service can continue through difficult times and into the future.
We offer an inclusive and supportive workplace.
The dedication and experience of our volunteers is invaluable. Here we catch up with two of our longest standing volunteers, Faye and Barry
volunteer at our service since 2003
Barry has been enriching people’s lives for over 20 years
Barry Gibson arrived at Byron Shire Respite Service one sunny Tuesday morning in 2003 after discussing a role with then Service Manager Colin Munro. He had been performing a volunteer administrative role with a Lawn Bowling group and was eager for new challenge. Barry confesses to ‘now getting a little long in the tooth’, but after 21 years, still ‘looks forward to turning up every Tuesday to enjoy this wonderful organisation’.
volunteer at our service since 2011
What Faye likes best about connecting with people
After Faye retired, she was seeking involvement in her community. She missed the company of workmates and interactions with older people who have such a wealth of knowledge and life experiences. She felt volunteering at the respite service ticked all these boxes.
You will often find her in our kitchen - greeting you with a welcome cuppa.
Faye jokes that whilst there's no guarantee of a ginger puff sponge or black forest cake, Mr Arnott will supply a sweet and a savoury bikkie.
At lunchtime, if your choice of drink is beer - you will often hear her say 'sorry, the bar is closed today', but she can offer you 'a nice Adam's ale'.
Barry - volunteer at our service since 2003
Barry Gibson arrived at Byron Shire Respite Service one sunny Tuesday morning in 2003 after discussing a role with our Service Manager. He had been performing a volunteer administrative role with a Lawn Bowling group and was eager for new challenge.
Barry confesses to ‘now getting a little long in the tooth’, but after 21 years, still ‘looks forward to turning up every Tuesday to enjoy this wonderful organisation’
Faye - volunteer at our service since 2011
After Faye retired, she sought involvement in her community, missing the camaraderie of workmates and the wisdom of older people.
You'll find Faye in our kitchen, greeting you with a cuppa. She jokes that while there's no guarantee of a ginger puff sponge, Mr. Arnott always supplies a bikkie. And if you ask for a beer at lunch, you'll hear her say, "Sorry, the bar is closed today," but she'll be happy to offer you "a nice Adam's ale.
