Help build a better community
When you & me get together .... We can change the world.
Okay - changing the world may seem unachievable, but when you & I & us & them all do our bit, then bit by bit we build a better community.
The Uniting Church has a variety of opportunities for you to help us make a difference.
1. Feed the hungry
2. Furnish a house
3. Help homeless people
4. Lend a hand in the outback
5. Adopt a grandparent
6. Flip a pancake
7. Look out for your neighbour
8. Become a Lifeline Telephone counsellor
9. Serve overseas as a volunteer
1. Feed the hungry
Most of us don't think twice about where our next meal is coming from.
Yet, every day of the year, people come to UnitingCare - the Uniting Church's community service arm - seeking help with the very basics of life including food.
Why not collect cans and other non-perishable food items for one of our agencies.
Find out more:
UnitingCare SA
Visit: www.unitingcare.org.au
Ph: (08) 8236 4255
2. Furnish a house
You've heard the expression "everything but the kitchen sink" ... well that is literally what refugee families need when they first come to Australia.
They come with nothing but hopes for a new beginning. You can give a practical hand by helping them furnish their first home.
Why not hold a "reverse garage sale". Hire a trailer and collect furniture, white goods, and household items from your neighbours and friends and we'll link you with someone who needs them.
Find out more:
Andrew Clarke - MRN Centre for Ministry with Refugees
Ph: 0429 190 007
Email: andrewjudy1@optusnet.com.au
3. Help homeless people
Homeless people in Adelaide need your support.
The basics of life - like new jocks, socks, and toiletries - are in demand at UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide's service for homeless people called the Byron Place Community Centre. The centre cares for between 100 and 130 people every day.
You can collect items for the centre - men's and women's toiletries (especially toothbrushes & toothpaste), socks, jocks, women's underwear & t-shirts are always in demand.
Find out more:
Sue Francis - UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide
Phone: 8202 5177
Email: sue.francis@ucwesleyadelaide.org.au
Visit: www.ucwesleyadelaide.org.au
4. Lend a hand in the outback
Calling ... carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, computer buffs, mechanics, teachers, allied health professionals ... people who are caring and willing to do anything that helps...
Outback Links will quite literally "link" skilled and gifted volunteers with Outback families or communities needing practical assistance to alleviate stress and pressure and bring real hope.
Outback Links is an initiative of the Uniting Church's Frontier Services.
Outback Links is keen to hear from people who are willing to 'lend a hand' in practical ways.
Find out more:
Frontier Services Outback Links
Visit: www.frontierservices.org/outbacklinks
Phone: 1300 731 349
Email: outbacklinks@bigpond.com
5. Adopt a grandparent
In our fast-paced world, it is sometimes easy to forget to put time aside for the people who need it.
The Uniting Church is one of the largest providers of aged care in the country. Any one of our services would be pleased to receive volunteers who are willing to spend time with residents:
... Having a chat over a cuppa
... Going for a walk in the gardens
... Sharing a card game
... Reading the paper.
Get involved:
Speak to an aged care service near you and find out what help they need. Whether you commit to visit once or regularly - your time will be appreciated.
Find out more:
UnitingCare SA
Visit: www.unitingcare.org.au
Ph: (08) 8236 4255
6. Flip a pancake
Just by making pancakes - you can make a difference.
Pancake Day is a national fundraising and profile raising event for UnitingCare. It is held each year, on or around Shrove Tuesday.
Find out more:
UnitingCare SA
Visit: www.unitingcare.org.au
Ph: 1800 060 543
7. Look out for your neighbour
The simplest thing we can do to make our local community a better place is to visit and care for our neighbours.
Do you know your neighbour's name? If you do - great - but if you don't, why not invite them over for drinks or a meal?
If you're feeling adventurous, the same applies for people further down your street!
8. Become a Lifeline Telephone counsellor
Lifeline Adelaide is a 24/7 crisis telephone counselling service. Each year, Lifeline Adelaide receives 17,400 phone calls ... calls from people facing domestic violence ... people who are having family or relationship problems ... people who are lonely ... people feeling suicidal or experiencing mental health issues and related concerns.
Volunteers undertake extensive training. To become a volunteer telephone counsellor, training to a Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling level is provided. Telephone Counsellors must be available to undertake fortnightly and/or weekly rostered shifts during weekends and evenings. Supervision support is provided for all counsellors 24/7.
Find out more:
Lifeline Adelaide
UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide
Ph: (08) 8202 5820
Email: adelaide@lifeline.org.au
9. Serve overseas as a volunteer
For as little as a few months to a year or longer, you can serve as a volunteer overseas. Volunteers need no special qualifications - just a desire to share in the lives of people in another cultural context.
The Experience Program is a program of Uniting World within the Uniting Church. It provides opportunities for adults of all ages to share in mission and ministry with partner churches in Asia, Africa and the Pacific.
Find out more:
Lyn Leane
International Mission Office, Uniting Church SA
Ph: (08) 8236 4239
Email: lleane@sa.uca.org.au
Kathy Pereira
Associate Director
Experience Programs
Visit: www.unitingworld.org.au
