Volunteering is a terrific way to immerse oneself in and contribute to the community and now there’s a simple way to get involved.
Laura Anzurri fills the newly created role of Neighbourhood and Care Army Connect Worker, where she connects volunteers with organisations in need.
She says there are plenty of upcoming opportunities to volunteer and is always seeking people to help.
Care Army was created two years ago as part of the Queensland Government’s Covid-19 recovery plan and has been adapted to address the decreasing volume of volunteers in regional Queensland.
The initiative proposes opportunities to an established and growing workforce of volunteers to help the organisations that have experienced this decrease.
She recently ran a successful campaign for the SecondBite initiative, recruiting eager volunteers to pick up groceries to contribute to the Neighbourhood Hub for people who struggle to afford them.
She says volunteers get matched based on skills, passions, and ability.
“It’s not just filling a role, it’s something that a volunteer should feel strongly about,” she said.
“It’s a matter of finding the right match.”
Laura is passionate about mental health and says the social interaction and sense of community that volunteering provides is the biggest benefit.
“It’s a way to make friends, it’s a way to know different realities,” she said.
“You get to know people with very big hearts.”
Laura is new to her role but has volunteered in the past and is a perfect example of how volunteering can lead to further opportunities.
“Volunteering did the trick for me,” she said.
“It often opens paths for paid employment in different fields.
“If it worked for me, it can work for other people.”
Care Army is looking for people of all backgrounds to get involved. Scan the QR code below to find out more.
Laura Anzurri recently ran a successful volunteer campaign for Taiya Thaiday, Administration and SecondBite Coordinator at The Neighbourhood Hub. Photo: supplied
