Vinnies calls for volunteers

A BELLARINE charity store has made a call out for help as volunteer numbers dwindle.

Queenscliff’s Vinnies are on the lookout for people to donate their time in store.

Vinnies operations manager for the west Graham Staniforth said volunteers made each store different and unique, and they were the ones people could relate to when they walk in.

“We’ve got volunteers with various and great backgrounds and they are the ones that really provide that spark everyday inside the shop.”

Volunteers take on a range of responsibilities from working in the back and merchandising the store through to being on the registers and testing and tagging electrical items.

When looking for volunteers, Mr Staniforth said Vinnies looked at the skills people have but always liked people with character.

“Everybody’s different, some people are a little bit more outgoing, some people less outgoing, it makes no difference whatsoever we will happily help and assist you.”

There’s also a range of benefits that come from volunteering, with Mr Staniforth saying many experience a lot of personal growth through donating their time.

“Some have worked in one industry, perhaps for life, all of a sudden they don’t want to do that, they want a bit of a change and see this as an avenue of learning new skills.

“I think a lot of it is really that stimulation of being with their colleagues and they just really love it.”

Mr Staniforth said like other volunteering services, Vinnies was finding it more difficult to recruit people, and wanted others to understand volunteering did not have to be every day for eight hours a day.

People are able to volunteer on their own terms and choose what days and hours they’re available, both through the week and on weekends.

“We really try to make an environment where people want to come in, because volunteers are giving up their free time and we want them to really walk into our shop and feel comfortable.”

“If you’d like to volunteer, we’ll show you and we’ll teach you what it’s all about.”

For more information, or to apply to be a volunteer, head to vinnies.org.au

Volunteers will have a range of responsibilities and learn new skills as part of their roles.