Swansea Meals on Wheels famously relies on local volunteers to drive operations in all areas. This could involve delivering meals, meal preparation, meal plating, social interaction and assisting with our regular events. Without our local volunteers, this vital service would not have continued so successfully in Swansea since 1973.
More than just volunteering
Our team of volunteers do more than just a job. They come with time, willingness, a sense of humour and a sense of giving. They often say that they truly enjoy and feel that their lives are enhanced by the volunteer work that they do – many saying that they feel like they are making a real difference.
There are many personal benefits to volunteering for Swansea Meals on Wheels, it gives a sense of acting on your values and passions, a chance to make new friends and enjoy new social and cultural experiences, helps expand your community network, it's an opportunity to gain work experience and learn new skills.
TYPES OF VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
The volunteering tasks vary depending on the particular skills you may offer and / or what is available. The typical work Swansea Meals on Wheels have volunteers that deliver meals to clients using a volunteer’s own car, or acting as a partner to someone else. Most deliveries are done in pairs. Volunteering in our kitchen to help with food preparation, cooking and plating of the meals. Other ways volunteers can help include being on the local management committee, lending a hand with general office duties.
CAR DRIVERS
Volunteer drivers help deliver meals to our customers. Our drivers team up with our meal runners and ensure our customers receive their meal, and at the same time check in with our customers to see that all is well.
MEAL RUNNERS
Volunteer meal runners join the driver to deliver the meals and take them directly to our customers. Meal runners hand over the meals personally and then take the opportunity to ensure our customers are okay.
KITCHEN HANDS
Volunteer kitchen hands assist with meal preparation, cleaning and other tasks as required by the kitchen staff. Our kitchen is located at 26 Josephson Street, Swansea NSW
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Our Management Committee Members are all volunteers. Every year we nominate committee members from our membership. The main role of our committee is to ensure we are operating smoothly and in line with our guidelines, policies and procedures.
OFFICE ASSITANTS
Volunteer office assistants provide administration support to our office staff. This includes helping to manage our databases, preparing promotional materials, taking telephone enquiries and coordinating our volunteer teams.
BECOMING A VOLUNTEER
Swansea Meals on Wheels will usually complete a short interview when you offer your help to explain what they expect from you and what you can expect from them. Swansea Meals on Wheels require references and we need to complete a police check.
These are designed to protect the clients whose homes you will be visiting.
To get started, please complete the volunteer application form on this page.
New volunteers receive an induction and ongoing training. Also experienced volunteers are often happy to share some of their experience and advice.