New study reveals millions generated by SA’s volunteers
New numbers show how many millions of dollars worth of volunteer hours are given to the state each year, one southern suburbs stalwart telling InDaily, “It’s like working a full-time job, only more enjoyable”.
A new study into volunteering at community centres shows 3,831 South Australians give 535,476 hours of their time annually, contributing a service to the community valued at $31.1 million.
The Social and Economic Impact of the Community and Neighbourhood Centres in South Australia Study, commissioned by LGA South Australia, found that community centres saw 2.57 million visitors every year.
Peter MacDonald, 70, has been volunteering at the Woodcroft – Morphett Vale Neighbourhood Centre over the past eight years, where there are currently around 100 volunteers.
He typically spends about 60 to 70 hours a month volunteering, saying “it’s like working full-time again, only it’s more enjoyable”.
MacDonald is chair of the management committee and the risk and audit subcommittee, runs community breakfasts and lunches, coordinates Bunnings’ barbecues and runs a community garden and seed library.
You might like
Last Friday, he oversaw a seed packing event, with 17 community members packing 400 envelopes in 20 minutes for the seed library.
“It sounds pretty boring, I know, but it’s a good time – there’s a lot of conversation, it’s a good social event where people are able to sit down, chat, laugh, have a cup of coffee and enjoy themselves,” he said.
MacDonald said he has made many friends and connections along the way, adding that he has noticed more widowed men joining to re-establish their social lives after losing their spouse.
“It gives them the social connection that a lot of them miss when they do give up work – so that’s something we do concentrate on; helping them keep friendships going,” he said, with many people reaching retirement among the centre’s volunteers.
Stay informed, daily
Among the other findings of the study, it found that local centres deliver almost $100 million of volunteer hours, facility hire, childcare support and food relief.
The study found that community centres contribute strongly to preventative health by tackling loneliness, improving wellbeing and reducing isolation.
It found that 46 per cent of those who use centres are on low incomes, 27 per cent come from diverse cultural backgrounds, 12 per cent have a disability, and 11 per cent are recent refugees.
LGA president and Mitcham mayor Heather Holmes-Ross said the research showed the significant return on investment in community and neighbourhood centres in SA.
“Community and neighbourhood centres play an essential role within communities to help reduce isolation and tackle loneliness, teach new skills, support disadvantaged groups and ease financial stress,” she said.
“For many South Australians doing it tough through cost-of-living pressures, community and neighbourhood centres are one of the first places they turn to for help, and to be treated with dignity, compassion and without judgement.”
Human Services Minister Katrine Hildyard said centres provided places where people can connect and feel supported.
“This research shows the enormous value these centres deliver right across South Australia, with millions of visits each year and thousands of volunteers giving their time to support others,” she said.
“Whether it is through a shared meal, learning a new skill, accessing support or simply having somewhere welcoming to go, community centres can make a real difference in people’s lives.”
The research was supported by LGA’s project partner Community Centres SA, with evidence gathered through a sector-wide survey of council-run and independent community and neighbourhood centres across the state, as well as individual case studies.
Community Centres SA CEO Rebecca Cox said: “This updated research shows the returns that are reflected in communities, including improved health and wellbeing outcomes, increased volunteering and greater social inclusion all across South Australia”.
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
