Volunteering

500 Volunteers are the life blood of our meals on wheels services. From delivering or cooking meals to managing a service, all volunteers contribute to making our meals on wheels services ‘more than just a meal’.

The strength of meals on wheels comes from the volunteers who serve as cooks, kitchen helpers, drivers and deliverers and committee members with most offering their services on a monthly basis. We encourage you to consider becoming part of this wonderful community initiative – new volunteers are always welcome to help maintain our level of service and to meet increasing demand.

Meals on Wheels volunteers do more than just deliver meals, they contribute significantly to the physical and emotional health of others by providing a level of care which they otherwise would not have. Often Meals on Wheels volunteers are a client’s only daily contact. Volunteers provide a level of caring support that used to be provided by family or the next door neighbour.
A meals on wheels volunteer can help break down the high degree of isolation many older people experience, making meals on wheels ‘more than just a meal’.

The special camaraderie in our services ensures that volunteers thoroughly enjoy themselves in the company of like-minded people while providing an important service to the community. Our volunteers also enjoy meeting recipients or clients and knowing that they are brightening up their day as well as checking on their general well-being. Volunteering for Meals on Wheels doesn't require a big commitment. Just a few hours a month will be hugely appreciated although there are opportunities in most services for a larger commitment!

Police Checks need to be conducted for all positions.

You may consider volunteering to be a…

Drivers

Drivers use their own cars to deliver meals to recipients. They receive an allowance for their vehicle use. Distances range from 6 – 40 km depending on the delivery run. Between 10-25 meals are delivered per delivery round. Drivers must hold a current Drivers Licence and have their car insured.

Deliverers

Deliverers accompany drivers to navigate and deliver meals into the homes of recipients. For safety and security reasons, both the deliverer and the driver deliver the meal to the recipient.

Emergency Drivers and Deliverers

You can also volunteer as an emergency driver or deliverer. Rather than being on a regular roster, you'll simply be called on to fill in when a regular driver or deliverer can't make it.

Service Committees

Service Committees assist in the running of Meals on Wheels branches. Fulfilling and rewarding positions such as Chairperson, Kitchen Coordinator, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Secretary and Treasurer are all filled by volunteers.

Cooks and Kitchen Helpers

Cooks and kitchen helpers are needed at Currarong, Huskisson/Vincentia, Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven Heads services to cook meals in their local kitchens. This involves preparing and cooking up to 50 meals and desserts, depending on the size of the service. Cooking is a team effort so one person does not do the whole meal. Kitchen Helpers assist with washing up, preparing vegetables and other general duties.

Who to contact

Phone: 4422 5111 or your local service