‘I feel that I am part of a project.’ Meet some of our wonderful volunteers: Itsaso, Lesley and Khaleel.

‘I am welcomed with the best of energies!’ Itsaso is from Spain and provides administration support as a volunteer with our financial education program, Saver Plus.

‘I am welcomed with the best of energies!’ Itsaso (right) is from Spain and provides administration support as a volunteer with our financial education program, Saver Plus.

‘I love the values, the great environment in the office. I feel that I am part of a project. I have training opportunities, and the chance to learn more about the Australian workplace. I am improving my English too,’ says Itsaso.

Lesley (below), a retired teacher, started out her volunteer journey as a tutor with our Fitzroy Homework Club, and now volunteers at our Northcote op shop too, which she describes as a ‘hidden gem’.

Lesley says the work puts a smile on her face every time.

‘When I first came to the store Jackie, the store manager, said it was normally a four-hour shift but my first shift I stayed six hours and enjoyed the whole time! There are so many important tasks that people can do, even on day one. We are always looking for more helpers.’

‘You end up acquiring and developing skills you didn’t realise you could and you gain a lot of confidence as well as new friends. On top of that, the whole community benefits from the low environmental-impact shopping and the funds generated. It’s brilliant.’

Khaleel (right) and his wife Bushra spend Friday mornings at our Eltham op shop. They came here from Iraq as refugees ‘I volunteer because I respect what the Brotherhood does and I wanted to get experience and improve my language skills,’ says Khaleel.

Bushra loves helping out with window dressing. ‘I have improved my English and I like to put up the shoes and fashion displays,’ she says.

Find out more about volunteering in a range of roles at the Brotherhood.