Wesley Mission’s Lifeline service celebrates International Volunteer Day

Wesley Mission’s Lifeline Sydney (based at Ashfield) and Sutherland is using International Volunteers’ Day to publicly thank its 240 volunteer work force.

The local organisation wants to thank all volunteers who have been giving their time energy and skills and in particular those who have been volunteering for Lifeline long-term, in some cases for 20 years.

Wesley Mission, which began Lifeline in 1963, said it was thankful for the continuing and committed service of volunteers.

“Lifeline began with a band of dedicated volunteers at Wesley Mission in Sydney 48 years ago,” said the CEO of Wesley Mission, the Rev Dr Keith Garner.  “That commitment and tradition continues today. We are so proud to be part of the lives of these extraordinary people.”

Volunteers are an integral part of Lifeline Sydney and Sutherland’s service delivery, contributing more than 15,000 hours of community service each year by supporting people in crisis. Sydney and Sutherland Lifeline answered 20,920 phone calls to the 13 11 14 Crisis Line during 2010-2011.

The theme for this year is ‘Inspiring the Volunteer in You’, and Sydney and Sutherland Lifeline is also using the opportunity to call for more people to join the Lifeline volunteer family.

“International Volunteer Day is an opportunity to recognise and thank these incredible people for their work, as well as encourage others to become volunteers,” Dr Garner said.

“It’s so important that we recognise the significant contribution that volunteers make to the Australian community.

“At Wesley Mission we are extremely grateful of our volunteers who selflessly give their time to help others. Our volunteers’ hard work has enabled us to provide crisis support services to the whole Australian community.

“Just about anyone can contribute to Lifeline Sydney and Sutherland, and people don’t have to be on the phones to help out. We need people to help raise funds, work in the office, sort out books and help out at book fairs.”

Lifeline Sydney & Sutherland offers training for people who want to on the Telephone Crisis Line. The dates for the Information Sessions for First Semester 2012 are: Sydney 31/01/2012, Ashfield 1/02/2012 and Sutherland 2/02/2012.

“Volunteers are fortunate that they are able to give back to their community and help out other Australians in need, as well as gain a sense of fulfilment knowing they’ve made a very real difference in someone’s life.”

For information on how to volunteer, go to the website.