October 05, 2023

Small acts, big impact: making a difference in our community

Pictured: Tracey (far right, back row) joins Prime Movers on an outing.

At Gateways, volunteers like Tracey are important in creating a positive and lasting impact on the lives of both participants and their families, with Tracey herself having contributed an impressive 274 hours of service in the last 12 months.

Tracey’s journey began with a simple Google search. “I found myself with time on my hands and I googled volunteering, and Gateways came up,” she shares. “I thought it was a great way to give back to the community.”

Having a background in working with children with disabilities in a school setting, “I thought it would be an opportunity to expand on my skills I already have,” she reflects.

She is involved in various programs at Gateways, including recreational programs and school holiday programs. Currently, her main role revolves around working with ‘Prime Movers’ on Wednesdays, which is a weekly recreational program offering high quality support to people who are frail aged or have dementia through various activities and outings.

“I enjoy working as a team, and the social interaction with the participants and workers,” she explains.

“It gives me a sense of purpose and satisfaction, and at the end of the day, it gives me a feeling of contentment that I’ve helped contribute to making a difference, if only in a small way, to a participant’s day.”

Tracey highlights, “It’s a great service because it’s involving participants in the community.”

She encourages others to consider volunteering as well, saying, “If you’ve got some time on your hands and you’re interested, it can give a great deal of happiness to know that you are contributing to someone’s wellbeing.”

Tracey has received heartwarming feedback from parents and participants about the joy and positive impact the service brings to their lives.

In the end, what makes her volunteering experience truly special? “It’s the sense of community and the actual fun we have and the laughter,” Tracey concludes.

We want to say a big thank you to all our wonderful volunteers, like Tracey. Your time and dedication make a real difference, and we couldn’t do it without you. You help us create happier communities every day. 

Want to get involved? Consider volunteering with Gateways Support Services. You can make a real difference in someone’s life. Join our community of volunteers by heading to our website.