Community Friend Volunteer

Community Friend Program pairs and supports friendships between volunteers and participants (people with a mild to moderate disability and/or mental health condition between 18-64 years of age). Through friendship, the Community Friend Program aims to address social isolation and increase community participation - something many take for granted. Volunteers catch with participants in the community on a fortnightly basis and engage in activities of interests (cuppa, movie, walk etc.)

About the Participant

Daniel is excited about the idea of making a new friend..! 
Daniel would prefer to be matched to someone in their 20-30's. 
Daniel is interested in catching up to play video games, go bike riding, play tennis, walking their dog together, going hiking and being outdoors.  
Daniel is in his 20's and would like to connect with someone of a similar age.

Volunteer Qualities

• A commitment to the Community Friend Program and the participants (of at least 12 months)
• Maturity and reliability
• Effective communications and social skills
• The ability to be a good role model
• The ability to focus on the needs of others
• The ability to seek advice as appropriate
• An understanding of the importance of social connections and friendship

Once you have contacted CFP to express your interest and had a chat over the phone, an application will be sent to complete and return. We can meet on Zoom or in person for an induction/interview to get to know a little more about you and chat more about the program, and volunteers will apply for an NDIS Worker Screening Check. 

Volunteers must be 18 years or over, undergo a NDIS Worker Screener Check, undergo an international police check if you have lived outside Australia for more than one year in the last 10 years, provide 2 professional referees and provide a fortnightly commitment for a minimum of 12 months.

Benefits can include:

• Continual support from CFP coordinators via phone, email and in person
• Ongoing support and training opportunities provided 
• Up skill / work experience or learning new skills
• Opportunity to act on your values, passions, and interests
• Making new friendships and creating professional networks
• Enjoying new social and cultural experiences
• Invitations Mid-year and end of year gatherings, or one-off events
• AccessEAP - entitled to 6 free and confidential counselling sessions annually. AccessEAP is a nationwide EAP provider that offers you or your family access to free and confidential face-to-face, video conference or phone counselling sessions at a time and place of your choosing.
• Invites to Melbourne City Mission events/Zoom sessions
• CFP quarterly Newsletters
• Being a part of a wonderfully cultured Program, full of inclusion and diversity

Could you see yourself becoming a part of CFP..?

Feel free to get in contact with us to find out more!

For further information, please get in touch by email cfp@mcm.org.au