Frequently Asked Questions
This is really up to you! You can get involved with anything from a once-off event, a half day every month, to a full day once or twice a week – it’s up to you! Whatever you can give we will appreciate. Volunteers can help out with a project for a few days in an ad-hoc way or a regular commitment each week.
Volunteering is unpaid time willingly given to help someone else. HCM is supported by hundreds of passionate volunteers who generously donate their time, energy and expertise to help us deliver our programs and services that offer essential help to people in need in our wider community.
Once you are placed in a volunteering role, you will meet your supervisor who will be your support and mentor. They will explain how things work, what they need you to do, and will be available to answer your questions. Your supervisor and volunteer engagement coordinator will support you throughout the time you are volunteering.
Some volunteer roles need a lot of training or formal training and some just need the basics or on-the-job training. Your supervisor will be able to make sure you are given what you need so you can perform your tasks correctly.
Volunteers are a reflection of the diversity of our community. The skills, qualities and experience you have will all be taken into consideration when placing you into a volunteering role.
You may not realise it, but you already have a lot you could contribute, even if you have no previous volunteering experience. Many of our opportunities simply require a friendly attitude and a little bit of time.
Think about why you would like to try volunteering, discuss it with us and come and try it out. You might prefer to help out at a once-off event first to see if it’s the right fit for you.
You are under no obligation to keep volunteering if you don’t like it, but please talk to your supervisor before stopping so you can discuss with them why you feel unhappy and what you feel would improve your time as a volunteer.
Any volunteers who do not have permanent residency in Australia need to ensure they are keeping within the law and abiding to their visa restriction. Generally, if you have the right to work in Australia you also have the right to volunteer.
Yes, we love corporate volunteers and aim to customise a program of volunteering roles to compliment the interests and skills of your organisation. Please contact us today by emailing volunteering@hobartcitymission.org.au to discuss.
Yes, the vast majority of volunteering roles involve working with other volunteers as well as community members and staff.
We offer volunteering support and social events throughout the year. You will receive invitations to attend these events.
Yes, we require all our staff and volunteers to have a police check. We will accept previous polic checks if they are no older than 6 months. HCM will arrange and pay for your police check and details will be mailed out to you.
HCM can assist with some travel expenses and HCM will pay for the cost to obtain a police check before you volunteer.
You can be any age to volunteer- but many opportunities have age restriction. Our Insurance policy indicates our Op Shops volunteers can be of 16 years old and above. Other school and community-based projects are slightly different and worth contacting us about.
Yes, you can. There are less opportunities for group volunteering but larger style events and fundraising projects are ideal.
We put you in our database and we will send you weekly updates on vacancies as they come up. It is first-in-best-dressed in most cases so best to stay connected with us.
Volunteering is proven to have a positive effect on mental, physical and social wellbeing. It can alleviate stress and depression, combat loneliness and even increase life expectancy. The opportunity to “give back” provides volunteers with increased self-esteem, connection to community and is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Volunteering can be a way to learn new skills and even act as a potential pathway to employment.
All volunteers at Hobart City Mission can expect to experience these benefits, regardless of their background, experience or situation.