Mentors, ambassadors, drivers and more – there are great organisations in Ipswich where you could volunteer, learn new skills, and make a difference in the community.
PCYC Braking the Cycle mentor Mitchell Crawford with participant Caitlyn at the Redbank Plains Library.
Braking the Cycle Program
Extra volunteer driving mentors are needed after the overwhelming success of PCYC’s Braking the Cycle Program expansion to Redbank Plains.
PCYC Ipswich and Ipswich City Council partnered to extend the multi-award winning learner driver mentor program to Redbank Plains Library.
Program coordinator Angela Watts said all the available participant spots were filled on one day, with the Redbank Plains program now having a wait-list.
She said they had the capacity to bring more community sponsored vehicles – they just needed more mentors to help disadvantaged young people gain the 100 hours of driving experience required to get their licence.
“It’s more than just a driving program. Not having a licence is a massive barrier to employment, but there are other barriers as well. People open up to their mentors, about what barriers there might be in their lives, and we can address those through our referral network,” she said.
Mitchell Crawford signed up as a mentor, and said he saw the benefit of helping young people with extra training and education.
He said an outside person teaching a young person could sometimes break through in a way a parent may not.
Ms Watts said Redbank Plains had a local Sudanese community who needed Braking the Cycle assistance, and the program was particularly looking for mentors who can help with those language barriers.
Be a mentor
Interested in being a PCYC Braking the Cycle mentor? You will need:
- Open licence for at least 12 months
- Relatively clean driving history
- Eligible for a blue card
Mentors are provided classroom-based and practical training.
Contact Program Coordinator Angela Watts on email [email protected] or on 0433 769 407
volunteer mentors across Ipswich PCYC's four Braking the Cycle sites
There are plenty of volunteering opportunities in Ipswich, here are just a few seeking help now:
STAR Care Queensland
STAR Care Qld and CODI are helping the Ipswich residents live independently and stay connected to their community. Volunteers are urgently needed to deliver services including; drivers to transport the elderly to social and medical appointments, administration staff at the new office at 5 Jacaranda Street, Ipswich, and companionship volunteers for the elderly and those with disabilities.
Enjoy a flexible schedule, upgrade your skills and make new friends. No prior experience required. Full Training is provided. Call 07 3821 6699 or email [email protected]
Visitor Information Centre
Ipswich’s Visitor Information Centre is specifically seeking volunteers for an upcoming ambassadors program for events. Volunteers have to be customer service focused, friendly, knowledgeable of Ipswich and the region, and happy to work in a fun environment. For more information see Ipswich City Council’s website.
Meals on Wheels
Ipswich Meals on Wheels is always interested in people who would like to volunteer, whether as a regular helper or as a back-up for when other volunteers are away. There are opportunities for people who are willing to drive and use their car, or as general helpers as well as in the kitchen. Meals on Wheels do police checks for their volunteers. If you would like to know more, call 3281 4465 or email [email protected]
Ipswich Hospital Foundation
Ipswich Hospital Foundation (IHF) currently has enough volunteers at the hospital itself – however there is still a need for Community Volunteers to fill a range of roles. IHF is involved in a number of community programs, including the annual Park2Park run and the Ipswich Hospital Museum. See the IHF website for more details.
