VOLUNTEERING

Kidney Health Australia relies on the generosity of volunteers to help make a difference in many ways. Your skills are always valued and we appreciate new ideas.   All volunteers are screened ,and in some cases specially trained, prior to commencement. If you are interested in volunteering please contact your local Kidney Health Australia office or send your request via email to Annette Smith annette.smith@kidney.org.au attaching your CV and contact details. Ways in which volunteers can assist us:

Administration – assist with daily administrative tasks within our offices (e.g. telephone answering, photocopying, mail outs, etc). Work may be sporadic depending on the needs of the particular office.

Fundraising Volunteers - participate in community fundraising by holding an event, coin shakes and managing collection tins within your community. Your enthusiasm in generating much needed funds is very much appreciated.

Guest Speakers - assist with being a local ambassador of Kidney Health Australia, gaining awareness and/or  donations whilst presenting appropriate kidney-related messages to targeted community groups. We encourage those in regional areas to also be involved, training is conducted bi-monthly via teleconferencing at no cost to you. Contact Annette Smith on 03 9674 4300 or email annette.smith@kidney.org.au for information on the next training session.

Kidney Care Volunteers – participate in the Kidney Care Program’s current initiative called the Dialysis Support Service. Their role is to visit designated renal units to provide support and companionship to people undergoing haemodialysis treatment. These volunteers do not need to have experience with kidney disease however must be sensitive and supportive to the needs of people undergoing this treatment.

National Consumer Council - join your local Consumer Council. The National Consumer Council is made up of the state Chairs of the state Councils working with selected staff from Kidney Health Australia. Find out who represents you at state level. Council Members represent a range of groups including people with chronic kidney disease, those on dialysis or with a kidney transplant, carers, most nurses and kidney specialists.

Peer Support - participate in the Peer Support Program's current initiative called TelEConnect. Their role is to provide support to people living with kidney disease, their carers and family members, via a national telephone and/or email peer support service. They MUST have experience with kidney disease. Following relevant training, they are required to utilise their personal experience to share practical and useful ways of managing their health and wellness with another peer.

N.B. We recommend to any person who has commenced dialysis treatment or has recently had a transplant to wait 12 months before becoming a Kidney Care or Peer Support Volunteer. This does not preclude them from becoming involved in other forms of volunteering for Kidney Health Australia if they so desire.

Special projects – assist with operating/participating in short term projects, such as events, campaigns and focus groups.  Events may be fundraising initiatives, or health service delivery initiatives.

University students - interested in participating in short term projects related to your individual course of study are also welcomed. Typically, student volunteers are completing courses in medicine, social work or health promotion.  You may or may not gain course credit for their participation depending on your abilities and projects undertaken. Available roles will depend on the state in which you live.

To register your interest in volunteering please contact Annette Smith by filling our the form below. Alternatively you may email Annette Smith, our Community Relations Manager at annette.smith@kidney.org.au and attach a copy of your CV and outline your full contact details for her reference.