Current Volunteer Opportunities

MND Victoria Massage Volunteers make a physical connection with a person living with MND as they provide them with a gentle hand and foot massage. The personal connection is also an important part of this role as regular contact between our volunteer and the person they are supporting builds a much-appreciated opportunity to share time and sometimes stories as well as the benefits of the massage.

To become a Massage volunteer with MND Victoria you do not need to bring experience in massage – we will provide you with that training and ongoing support. Regular availability (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) is essential and an ability to travel to appointments in your local area.

We are currently seeking to build our team of Hand and Foot Massage Volunteers in multiple locations across Melbourne and some parts of regional Victoria.

If you would like more information about this role, please email volunteer@mnd.org.au or phone (03) 9830 2122.

We know the importance of ‘connection’ but that feelings of connection with community can be reduced through the impacts of MND. That’s where our Social Visiting and Social Chats Volunteers come in! 

Currently, MND Victoria needs to grow our team of Social Visiting and Social Chat Volunteers. We service all of Melbourne and some parts of regional Victoria.

Social Visiting Volunteers visit clients in their home or residential care facility bringing companionship and social interaction. Regular visits might be for a couple of hours a week and are agreed upon by our volunteer and their client. Clients and their volunteers also determine how they will spend their time together – maybe chatting and sharing interests, playing cards, crosswords or crocheting. Maybe a walk to the local park or coffee shop or sitting quietly together and making a space for a carer to relax or to pop out and complete some errands.  

Our Social Visiting Volunteers do not provide personal care activities for clients. They do not manage medication or do shopping or housework.

Social Chat Volunteers also help to keep people living with MND connected. The power of a regular call from one of our Social Chat Volunteers cannot be underestimated. Friendships are formed and common interests explored as clients and our volunteers make weekly or fortnightly calls up to an hour in length (but frequently far less). Our clients report having someone listen and offer support but without giving advice can be a welcome gift.

If you are interested in sharing time with others, are a good listener and would like to help people living with MND stay connected either of these roles may be a role for you.

MND Victoria provides training to prepare volunteers for these roles and also provides ongoing support for our volunteers along with opportunities to meet and share learnings with other volunteers.

If you would like more information on this role or are interested in applying to become a Social Visiting or Social Chats Volunteer, please email volunteer@mnd.org.au or phone (03) 9832 2122.

We are currently seeking to grow our life stories volunteers in multiple locations across Melbourne and regional Victoria. This program can be conducted in person or via online platforms, depending on the preference of the client and volunteer.

What is the Life Stories Program?

The Life Stories Program provides a way for people to review, reflect and share their life stories (or parts of their life) with family and friends. This process also allows them to relive happy memories along the way. The person’s stories are recorded by a volunteer biographer, transcribed, and then made into a book which is given to the person or their family. Volunteers who take part in this program can develop a meaningful relationship with the storyteller and satisfaction from creating a meaningful piece of writing.

How the program operates

When a person with MND requests to be part of the program:

• A specially trained volunteer will visit the person at home or place of care at a mutually agreed time to hear their stories.
• Stories are captured during sessions of up to 1 hour over 6-10 visits using a digital recorder or note-taking.
• Following each session, the volunteer transcribes and lightly edits the shared material.
• At the next visit, the Life Stories Volunteer shares the text to confirm its accuracy. Any changes to be made will be discussed at that time.
• Photographs or other materials may be provided to be included in the Life Stories, including on the front cover.
• After the final recording session, the volunteer prepares the document for printing.
• The finished document will be delivered within 4 weeks.

If you would like more information on this role, or are interested in applying to become a Life Stories Volunteer, please email volunteer@mnd.org.au or phone (03) 9830 2122.