Volunteering frequently asked questions

You can connect with our volunteer team in any of the following ways:

• Complete the quick connect form on this page and someone will contact you to discuss your interests and situation.
• Email volunteer@nrcg.org.au.
• If you’d like to talk to someone, call 02 6621 7397.

The benefits of volunteering are numerous. Through volunteering, people can:

• Support the causes they are passionate about and have a direct impact on things that matter to them.
• Learn new skills, knowledge and abilities.
• Use existing skills and expertise to benefit others.
• Build community resilience.
• Extend professional and personal networks.
• Make new social connections and friendship circles.
• Improve mental health outcomes.

With extensive history in the volunteering space, Community Gateway is able to support and encourage volunteers in the Northern Rivers Volunteering network by providing them with:

• Choice and control over their volunteer journey.
• Access to a passionate network of community-focused people through the Be Collective platform.
• A personal relationship with a volunteer coordinator, so there’s only ever one point of contact they need.
• Opportunities for professional skills development through accredited VET training and qualifications.
• Safety and protection with extensive insurance and safety protocols.
• Celebration of the amazing contributions they make with rewards and recognition.
• Skills development workshops and information sessions.
• Social events and networking opportunities.
• News and updates.
• Volunteering best practices.
• Sense of purpose.

Volunteering is the life blood of every community. When something needs doing, someone steps up to meet the need. This happens every day and every contribution makes our communities and world a better place.

Volunteering increases community capacity, creates positive social impact and improves quality of life for those that volunteer too.

When someone becomes a volunteer, they are investing the most precious commodities into their communities for the benefit of others – time and energy.

• Northern Rivers Community Gateway has been providing welfare support and capacity building services to disadvantaged people and communities for nearly 50 years.
• Our services and programs extend from Lismore to Northern New South Wales more broadly throughout the state.
• We have been supporting volunteerism in Northern NSW  for over 30 years. We have recently created the Volunteering Northern Rivers network to build more volunteering and stronger volunteerism in our region.

It’s easy to become a volunteer in the Northern Rivers Volunteering network by taking one of the following steps:

• See all the opportunities in our volunteer network here. If there’s something you like the look of, you can apply online instantly.
• If you can’t see a volunteer opportunity you like, or would like to talk to someone in our volunteering team, complete the quick connect form on this page and someone will contact you to discuss your interests and situation.
• Email our volunteer team at volunteer@nrcg.org.au.
• Talk to someone from our volunteer team by calling us on 02 6621 7397.

• Each volunteer opportunity has its own requirements, which may include location, time commitment, skills and knowledge.
• All volunteers will need to complete a National Police Check, with the costs covered by Community Gateway.
• Depending on the opportunity, there may also be a requirement to complete a NSW Working With Children Check, but Community Gateway also covers the cost of that.
• There may also be additional forms to complete, depending on the opportunity.

We aren’t currently able to offer virtual volunteer opportunities. However, this may change. If you complete the quick connect form on this page, we will be able to contact you when virtual volunteer opportunities arise.

Some of our volunteer opportunities such as our our Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS) volunteer visitors have a minimum time commitment. The minimum commitment for most opportunities is variable, and it is entirely up to you to decide how much time and energy you are able to give.

Yes, we are happy to help you find a volunteer opportunity that meets your Centrelink requirements. Contact our volunteer team now to discuss your needs.