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

Sam is excited about the idea of making a new friend! 
Sam would prefer to be matched to someone in their 20-30's. 
Sam is interested in cars, music, fishing and kayaking. Sam is in his 30's and would like to connect with someone 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