“IT’S NICE to be able to be here and help people go to Mass,” says volunteer Margaret Jardine, dispensing hand cleanser to people entering St Stephen’s Cathedral in Brisbane.
During National Volunteer Week, Margaret is one of millions of individuals receiving a wave of appreciation for their service, especially for pitching in amidst ongoing coronavirus concerns.
“We have people who are so grateful for us being here, it makes us feel good,” Mrs Jardine, a volunteer at St Stephen’s for the last four years, said.
“Today I was so happy to see young families coming in.
“This morning we had five babies and their families coming in to the cathedral – we haven’t seen children coming for so long.
“So, it’s all starting to come back.”
Volunteers make our communities stronger, especially during times of need, crisis or isolation.
Amidst the pandemic, while many of us stayed home, volunteers continued to deliver essential services, organise food packages and offered care, comfort and support.
Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge offered a special message of appreciation to volunteers who help across south east Queensland.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in your stride so you can continue to pitch in and help out your community,” Archbishop Coleridge said.
“For that the Archdiocese is indebted to you.”
Archbishop Coleridge praised the work of volunteers “wherever they offer service – in parishes or prisons, hospitals, respite services or drop-in centres, assisting at school drop-offs or on the P and F”.
Volunteers come from all walks of life.
Linda Carling a graphic designer who works for the Brisbane Archdiocese recently responded to a call by volunteering for Rosies’ Beddown trial project that supports the homeless across Brisbane CBD.
“It was a truly humbling experience and wonderful to know that in some tiny way I helped another person get a good nights sleep,” Ms Carling said.
The aim of Beddown is to take spaces that are commonly used and busy during the day but at night are left vacant or empty, such a secure car parking.
Beddown then repurpose the space at night into pop-up accommodation to ensure the homeless are able to come and get into a bed at night.
Many of the homeless suffer from sleep deprivation due to the conditions of living on the streets, sleep deprivation can lead to many physical and mental health conditions.
Rosies and Beddown are currently running a six-week trial, repurposing space in a parking garage at Central Plaza in Queen Street, Brisbane.
