Voices of Volunteering

In this episode, ⁠Clint Bertenshaw⁠ and Anthea Wilson, Senior Project Officer in the Volunteering and Carers Team within the Department of Communities and Justice, explore the paper "Volunteering, an antidote to loneliness: Practical pathways to connection."

Anthea has written a paper on loneliness and its impacts drawing on research that highlights volunteering to be an effective way to reduce feelings of loneliness. The paper encourages volunteer involving organisations to think more broadly about individuals who would benefit from volunteering.

Volunteering, an antidote to loneliness: Practical pathways to connection

This paper explores how volunteering can act as an antidote to loneliness, with a focus on practical suggestions to foster meaningful connections through volunteering. In recent years, loneliness has emerged as a significant issue in NSW, with research highlighting its widespread impact. There is also growing evidence to support volunteering as a key community-based intervention for those experiencing persistent loneliness.

Download the paper here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/community-services/volunteering/resources-for-volunteering-nsw/volunteering-an-antidote-to-loneliness-practical-pathways-to-connection

Newsletter info:

Volunteering Now

Volunteering Now brings you news from the sector including research and resources that can support your organisation, information about important events and inspirational stories from volunteers and volunteer involving organisations.

Subscribe to the Volunteering Now newsletter and download previous editions here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/community-services/volunteering/about-volunteering-nsw/news-and-updates

Acknowledgement of Country 

The Centre for Volunteering acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which our office stands.  

We recognise the importance of their connection to place and community on these lands and pay our respects to Elders past and present. 

In this episode, Clint Bertenshaw and Paul Muller discuss Volunteer Leadership in 2026.

Building on findings from the 2025 State of Volunteering Report and reflecting on current global and economic concerns, Paul provides his insights and views on what challanges may be faced by volunteer leaders and their programs, the support State Peaks can play in supporting volunteer involving organisations and the successes that have come out of facing these challenges.

For more information and resources, visit the Centre for Volunteering's website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://volunteering.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Acknowledgement of Country 

The Centre for Volunteering acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which our office stands.  

We recognise the importance of their connection to place and community on these lands and pay our respects to Elders past and present. 

In this episode, Dr Ben Hillier⁠⁠ talks with Paul Muller, author of the 2025 NSW State of Volunteering Report about the report's key findings and what it means for volunteers and volunteer managers.

For more information and resources, visit the Centre for Volunteering's website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://volunteering.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠

Acknowledgement of Country 

The Centre for Volunteering acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which our office stands.  

We recognise the importance of their connection to place and community on these lands and pay our respects to Elders past and present. 

In this episode, Dr Ben Hillier⁠ talks with Ned Narouz about his work with youth mentoring charity Ready2Change. They discuss the findings of the Volunteering and Youth report as well as tips to recruit and retain young people in volunteer roles by understanding what matters to them.

For more information and resources, visit the Centre for Volunteering's website - ⁠⁠⁠https://volunteering.com.au⁠⁠⁠

Acknowledgement of Country 

The Centre for Volunteering acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which our office stands.  

We recognise the importance of their connection to place and community on these lands and pay our respects to Elders past and present. 

In this episode, Dr Ben Hillier⁠ talks with Dr Saba Nabi about her volunteering work in Wagga Wagga and the findings of the Women in Volunteering Report.For more information and resources, visit the Centre for Volunteering's website - ⁠⁠⁠https://volunteering.com.au⁠⁠⁠

Acknowledgement of Country 

The Centre for Volunteering acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which our office stands.  

We recognise the importance of their connection to place and community on these lands and pay our respects to Elders past and present. 

In this episode Dr Ben Hillier speaks with Scott Tutton, the Program Manager of Sport Programs at the Australian Sports Commission about the findings of Volunteering and Sport Supplementary Report. 

For more information and resources, visit the Centre for Volunteering's website - ⁠⁠https://volunteering.com.au⁠⁠

Acknowledgement of Country 

The Centre for Volunteering acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which our office stands.  

We recognise the importance of their connection to place and community on these lands and pay our respects to Elders past and present. 

In this episode, ⁠Dr Ben Hillier⁠ speaks with Kathryn Bredin, Coordinator of the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme at Riverina Community College in Wagga Wagga and was recognised as the 2024 NSW Volunteer Leader of the Year.

For more information and resources, visit the Centre for Volunteering's website - ⁠https://volunteering.com.au⁠

Acknowledgement of Country 

The Centre for Volunteering acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which our office stands.  

We recognise the importance of their connection to place and community on these lands and pay our respects to Elders past and present. 

In this episode, Dr Ben Hillier speaks with Clint Bertenshaw, Director: Sector Development and Engagement at The Centre for Volunteering about the practical steps that volunteer managers can take to implement the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement and a range of other Australian volunteering frameworks.

For more information and resources, visit the Centre for Volunteering's website - https://volunteering.com.au

Acknowledgement of Country 

The Centre for Volunteering acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which our office stands.  

We recognise the importance of their connection to place and community on these lands and pay our respects to Elders past and present. 

In a conversation with Charlotte Bosler, Leanne Hillman shares her journey from volunteer to 2023 NSW Volunteer of the Year, and reflects on how the nomination has impacted her personally and benefited her organisation, Victims & Witnesses of Crime Court Support.

In this episode, Dr. Ben Hillier speaks to Wiradjuri and Wongaibon man Graham Toomey about volunteering with First Nations Australians.