Volunteering Week: Your Time to Shine

May 18 marks the beginning of National Volunteer Week in Australia.

The week, which is driven by the national peak body Volunteering Australia (VA), “recognises the contribution of millions of volunteers across the country,” VA said in a statement.

“And invites everyone to discover how giving their time and talents can create connection, purpose, and stronger communities.”

Your turn

This year’s theme is “Your Year to Volunteer”, targeting those who have always intended to volunteer but have yet to take the vital steps.

According to VA, there are often barriers as to why volunteering can be difficult. They include:

New strategy

To tackle such obstacles, VA now have a National Strategy for Volunteering which will encourage more ways for people to volunteer, no matter what their age and circumstance.

“We know there is a strong willingness to contribute across the community, but systems, structures, and expectations haven’t always kept pace with how people live today,” Mark Pearce, the CEO of Volunteering Australia, said.

“By reducing friction and improving access, we can unlock even more participation.”

Through this year’s theme, the VA “invites people across Australia to make 2026 a year of meaningful involvement, in ways that work for them,” read the statement.

“This year is a moment to thank those who already give their time and to invite others to discover how volunteering can create connection, purpose, and lasting positive change.”

Volunteering stars

For this year’s National Volunteering Week, VA is highlighting the good work of a select few.

Molly

Molly Croft is the NSW finalist for the Australian Volunteer of the Year Award (also held during National Volunteer Week).

The 19-year-old volunteers with the Kids with Cancer Foundation and is the co-founder of the Tie Dye Project – which creates and sells tie-dyed products to raise funds for sarcoma-related research.

At the age of 12, Molly was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. She raises awareness of the challenges faced by kids with cancer.

And through fundraising, advocacy and public speaking, she has helped raise more than $2 million for children’s charities.

Benn

After the tragic loss of his son, Melbourne dad Benn found support through Red Nose Australia. It inspired him to become a Peer Supporter with the group.

Benn provides one-on-one support to dads who are also suffering bereavement. Drawing on his own heartbreaking loss he creates a safe space for honest conversations about grief.

“Benn is passionate about helping men feel less alone and encouraging them to open up during life’s toughest moments,” read a VA statement.

Mr Pearce said that such volunteering is prevalent in Australia.

“At a time when Australians are under increasing pressure, what stands out is not that volunteering is declining, but that it is adapting,” he Pearce said.

“We’re still seeing people show up for their communities, but they are doing it in different ways, in more flexible ways, and often in ways they don’t even recognise as volunteering.”

Ways to help

For those who feel it is their “year to volunteer” visit GoVolunteer.com.au, contact the branch of Volunteering Australia in your state, or approach an organisation in your local community that you know uses volunteers.

“Volunteering is not limited to formal roles or long-term commitments. It includes the everyday ways people support each other and strengthen their communities,” Mr Pearce said.

“Your Year to Volunteer is both a recognition of what already exists and an invitation. There is no single way to volunteer. What matters is that people can take part in ways that work for them.”

Vital role

This year is also the United Nations International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development.

This recognises the “vital role” volunteers play in building sustainable, inclusive communities worldwide.

“Governments, organisations, and communities are encouraged to recognise and support volunteers by creating safe, inclusive environments and integrating volunteering into policies,” the UN said in a statement.

For more information on National Volunteer Week, visit here.

Feature image: Supplied