Growing demand for volunteer disability support workers

Local disability services organisation Gateways Support Services is supporting a new campaign – Volunteer For Disability – In Geelong and Victoria’s west, to highlight the significant need for more local volunteers to help meet growing demand.

The Volunteer For Disability campaign is an initiative of Interchange Incorporated, which supports Gateways and 12 other disability service providers in Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about the power of volunteering in the disability sector and recruit volunteers to help support people with disability and their families.

Over four million Australians are living with disability, many of whom rely on volunteers to support them to participate in their communities.

Chief executive officer of Gateways Support Services Rosemary Malone said volunteering was a life changing experience both for volunteers, and the people with disabilities they support.

“It’s a great way to have fun, make friends, learn new skills, and contribute to your local community.

“The demand for volunteers has increased since the introduction of the NDIS.

“We hope this campaign will not only boost volunteer numbers across Geelong and western Victoria, but also feed the increasing demand for disability workers in the area, as volunteering provides excellent experience and training for a career in the sector.”

Interchange is also helping to address the demand for disability workers by providing free accredited online training to interested volunteers.

Developed by Wodonga TAFE, the training is free for volunteers and can be included as an elective subject in Certificate III and IV Disability and Certificate III and IV Community Services qualifications.

Executive officer at Interchange Incorporated Kerry Uren said the NDIS was creating tens of thousands of new jobs in disability services Australia-wide.

“Volunteering can be a pathway to a new career, as well as a way to make a real difference.

“Our new online training program will give interested volunteers a head start on a career in disability services, adding to the incredible practical experience they get from volunteering.”

The NDIS is fuelling demand for disability workers – Australia needs 60,000 new employees in the sector by 2020, according to a Productivity Commission report.